The Personal Impact of a Clinical Trial

A native of Puerto Rico, Irisaida Méndez is a seasoned Multicultural Communications and crisis management executive with over 20 years experience leading National and Global initiatives. A mother of four, first diagnosed with gynecological cancer in 2017, which remotely metastasized after nearly one year in remission. Following her stage IV diagnosis, Ms Méndez challenged chemo-brain side effects by studying to become a certified end-of-life doula. She then launched IMKahlo, an organization that helps women boost their confidence and courage with tools to help cope with the side effects of chemo, radio and immunotherapy. Through IMKahlo, she also encourages patients to take control of their end-of-life wishes by normalizing death conversations and life planning, such as creating legacy projects to be remembered by. Ms Méndez has been a guest speaker at many state and national conferences and advocacy events. “Research saved my life,” she says. This is why her IMKahlo team and she participate in the American Lung Association’s Fight for Air Climb stair-hikes. Additionally, she has served as the Mission Chair for this event for the past two years and the current year, inspiring participants to use laughter to expand their lungs, catch a breath of (clean/fresh) air and climb for hope. Ms Méndez collaborates regularly with non-profits and Latin American Organizations in the U.S. She serves as a member of the Latino Leadership Council at Compassion and Choices. For the past two years, she has taken the role of LUNG FORCE representative for the state of Florida, carrying on advocacy efforts in Capitol Hill, raising awareness about the need for NIH funding to keep performing research and the importance of affordable healthcare for everyone.

Karen Peterson is the Founder and Chief Patient Advocate of Karen’s Club, Ms Peterson was inspired to help other patients of color, understand the complex and sometimes skeptical world of clinical trials.  A Stage IV Triple Negative Breast cancer survivor, Ms Peterson is also a founding member of the Patient Community Council at Foundation Medicine, a consultant for Blue Note Therapeutics and a Cancer Research Institute- Immuno Advocate.  Ms Peterson was the featured patient speaker at the Biden Cancer Initiative’s 2019 presentation at ASCO, and the 2020 Inaugural AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report presented to Congress.  Her inspiring story has been shared with Cure, Essence, Health and People magazines as well as ABC Radio Networks “Perspective” and The Today Show.  Lastly, Ms Peterson successfully completed the exclusive 2021 Robin Hood/Blue Ridge Labs Fellowship Program, where she co-created (with her partner Nava Friedman) the highly anticipated advocacy platform https://www.karensclub.org/