Engaging the community to participate in clinical trials

The Susan G. Komen Tissue Bank (KTB) is the world’s only biorepository that collects and stores normal breast tissue, matching serum, and plasma that researchers around the world can study. The KTB’s mission “An end to breast cancer through the study of normal” emphasizes the importance of normal breast tissue on cancer prevention. The KTB holds various events to inform a wide range of women on their cause in hope of inspiring them to become future donors. Due to covid, the annual tissue collection event was canceled. However, we continued to spread awareness through festivals, formal gatherings, and social media. My main objectives were recruiting future donors through events and informing the community of our mission. I managed various social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) to remind past donors to complete a yearly medical follow-up, inform followers on breast research and events. Because breast cancer varies in different races/ethnicities, it’s essential to inform minority women and encourage them to become donors. Social media allows us to reach a wide range of followers and provide them with accurate information. I also calculated the risk assessment of breast cancer susceptibility and analyzed mammograms to prepare them for researchers to view.