Published: 20 May 2022
To celebrate International Clinical Trials Day, the NIHR has launched a two-week campaign called TrialBlazers, that recognises the life-changing contribution made to health and care research, and calls on people across the UK to be a TrialBlazer and to take part in research which could one day save lives.
Newly released data from the NIHR shows that, across the four nations, 1,413,553 participants took part in over 4,900 NIHR-delivered studies in 2021/2022*. But from cancer research, to COVID research and beyond, the need for people to take part in medical research has never been greater.
The treatment and support people living with a disease or a health condition receive to help manage their illness or keep them alive is only made possible by research - everything was research once.
Anyone of any age can join the TrialBlazers and learn more about a condition which may affect them or loved ones, or to simply support health and care research.
Members of the public can support medical research for a particular condition or disease that they care about, access new treatments or learn more about a condition that affects them. They can volunteer for a trial by visiting www.bepartofresearch.nihr.ac.uk/trialblazers and searching by location or condition.
Prof. Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the NIHR said:
“Research helps to find ways to enable people to live healthier and better lives, discovers new medicine and better treatments, and helps improve the health and social care provided by the NHS and beyond.
“We want to celebrate our community of research volunteers. Whether it’s through taking part in a study, helping research delivery, or promoting the value of research to others - every TrialBlazer makes a unique contribution.
“Life-changing research happens when people take part in clinical research studies. Research is for all, not just for a few. Become a TrialBlazer or ask your friends, family and colleagues to get TrialBlazing, and you too can make a difference, helping to improve treatments and quality of life, now and for future generations.”
Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said:
“The UK is a world-leader in ground-breaking research. I’m determined to continue building on this innovation to transform our health service and ensure the NHS is able to deliver world-class care for patients.
“I am proud and grateful to every single person, who has taken part in research so far, particularly during the pandemic. Clinical research has been vital in our fight against Covid. It has saved hundreds of thousands of lives in the UK and around the world – whether through the rapid creation of vaccines or the identification of life-saving treatments like dexamethasone – and I encourage everyone to look at what role they can play in the future of health research.”
How you can get involved
The TrialBlazers campaign takes place from May 16th to May 29th 2022, and there are lots of ways for you to get involved.
You can visit and share the TrialBlazers’ Campaign page, and add a special TrialBlazers Twibbon to your Twitter profile.
And show your support for TrialBlazers on social media by engaging and sharing content on social media on our Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin pages.
*This number of participants took part in studies supported by the Clinical Research Network, the largest portion of participants in NIHR research.