Coral Omene, MD, PhD, of Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Dr. Ryan Nguyen, DO, of the University of Illinois Cancer Center join Lisa Hayes, breast cancer survivor and Executive Director of Pink-4-Ever Ending Disparities, for a powerful conversation about the realities of facing cancer as a Black woman. Lisa shares how her diagnosis reshaped her life’s purpose and why inclusive, community-driven clinical research is essential. Tune in for an inspiring and eye-opening discussion on survivorship, equity, and patient advocacy.

Featured Guest:

• Lisa Hayes, Executive Director, Pink-4-Ever Ending Disparities; director of women’s health, Gennesaret Free Clinic; Patient Advocate

Topics Covered:

• Lisa’s 18-year journey as a breast cancer survivor
• The importance of warm handoffs and trusted community resources
• A landmark neuropathy study designed with and for Black women
• Pink-4-Ever’s “Survivorship as a Lifestyle” program
• What early-career researchers can do to build trust in communities

Dr. Coral Omene from Rutgers Cancer Institute talks with Tina Butts, a breast cancer survivor, about her experiences as a Black female patient in a clinical trial. Listen as Tina shares her journey, discussing the unique challenges of facing cancer as a Black woman. Tune in for an illuminating and touching conversation about resilience, faith, and the emotional realities of navigating life with cancer.

Dr. Ryan Nguyen, a physician and researcher at the University of Illinois Cancer Center in Chicago, joins our hosts, Dr. Craig Cole of Michigan State University, Dr. Coral Omene of Rutgers University, and Dr. Monika Joshi of Penn State University, for an in-depth conversation on diversity in clinical trials. The group discusses a range of topics including barriers to equitable enrollment in clinical trials, the role of the FDA in promoting more diverse clinical trial enrollment, the role of precision oncology for diverse populations, findings from a clinical study on enrollment in trials leading to FDA approvals in breast cancer, community engagement in clinical trials, and the impact of lung cancer screening.

Learn more about the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium Diversity Committee: https://bigtencrc.org/clinical-research/diversity/

About the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium: The Big Ten cancer centers united to transform the conduct of cancer research through collaborative clinical trials and observational studies that seek to improve the lives of cancer patients in the diverse communities we serve by leveraging the scientific and clinical expertise of Big Ten universities. The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium creates a unique team research culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to treatment and prevention. Within this innovative environment, today’s research leaders collaborate with and mentor the research leaders of tomorrow.

About the Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.