A black-and-white photo of UMass Global professor Dr. Helen Eckmann.

FORT DETRICK, Maryland (Sept. 6, 2022) - The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ (CDMRP), Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) consumer advocate recently participated in the evaluation of research applications submitted to the BCRP. Helen Eckmann, a cancer survivor and professor of business administration for University of Massachusetts Global, was nominated for participation in the program by Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. As a consumer reviewer, Eckmann was a full voting member, (along with prominent scientists) at meetings to help determine how the $150 million appropriated by Congress for Fiscal Year 2022 will be spent on breast cancer research.

Consumer reviewers are asked to represent the collective view of patients by preparing comments on the impact of the research on issues such as diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life. When commenting on serving as a consumer reviewer, Eckmann said that “as a 30 year, currently Stage 4, breast cancer survivor, I have felt compelled to do everything possible to help bring the cure for my sisters and brothers who are currently or will be diagnosed with this horrible disease. The medications that are currently saving my life were first researched by Sanford Burnham Cancer Center, and I am grateful.”

Consumer advocates and scientists have worked together in this unique partnership to evaluate the merit of research applications since FY92. Col. Sarah B. Goldman, Director of the CDMRP, expressed her appreciation for the consumer advocates’ hard work. “Integrating consumer perspectives into our decision-making process brings energy and focus to our research programs. Patients, caregivers, family members, and advocates help us keep our efforts centered around what is truly important to those impacted. We very much value this critical input from our consumers who help ensure that CDMRP’s work remains critical and relevant,” she said.

Researchers applying to the BCRP propose to end breast cancer for service members, veterans, and the general public by funding innovative, high-impact research through a partnership of scientists and consumers.

More information about the CDMRP BCRP is available at the website: https://cdmrp.army.mil/BCRP/default.

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Founded in 1958 and accredited by WSCUC, University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) is a nonprofit affiliate of the University of Massachusetts, committed to helping adult learners change their lives through education. We offer over 55 online programs tailored for workplace relevance — associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, along with teaching credentials, stackable certificates, and authorizations. All UMass Global coursework is 100 percent online, which meshes with the busy lives of our non-traditional students. We are known for attentive student support, accommodating transfer policies, high graduation rates, alumni satisfaction, and low student debt loan default rates. For additional information, visit the university's website.
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