Cancer survivorship is defined as living before, during, and after cancer treatment. To help cancer survivors live better lives research is important to help us learn more about how cancer and its treatments can effect us.

Survivor Journeys® presents these research opportunities for you to consider as a participant. We have discussed the study directly with the principal researcher and we will only post this if we feel it will add much needed information to the cancer survivorship community. If you have further questions about any study please use the provided links.

Study participation opportunity—Crowdfunding for cancer

Crowdfunding by cancer patients is becoming increasingly common, with millions of GoFundMe campaigns started every year to support the costs of a cancer diagnosis. However, little is known about how this practice can affect patients and their families, changing their experience of illness. We're currently studying this important question in research.

With support from the National Science Foundation, we are interviewing individuals and families who have made requests online for financial assistance after a cancer diagnosis. We're also interested in speaking to people who have supported crowdfunding campaigns organized for cancer patients.

If you'd like more information about this project, please visit the study website.

If you'd like to share your story in an interview, please email the study director at mlincoln@sfsu.edu. 

This research has full and current ethical approval and interview participants will receive a $20 gift code in thanks for their time.

We Need Your Help

Consider sharing this with family or friends that may be eligible. With your help, we can find a way to stop multiple myeloma before it starts!

Dear Friends,

I am writing to tell you about an innovative nationwide research study at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute called the PROMISE Study.  The goal of the PROMISE Study is to test at-risk individuals for early warning signs of multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of the blood.  These early warning signs, which are often called “precursor conditions,” include monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) and can be identified with a simple blood test. We hope the information gained from the PROMISE Study will contribute to future therapies that will prevent multiple myeloma from developing.

Who is eligible? Individuals between the ages of 40 and 75 who self-identify as being Black/African American are considered at higher than average risk of developing multiple myeloma in their lifetime and are eligible to enroll in the PROMISE Study. In addition, those between the ages of 40 and 75 with a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with MGUS, SMM, or any blood cancer are considered eligible. Of note, a first-degree relative includes a parent, a sibling, or a child.

What does the study involve? Participants are asked to complete a study questionnaire and go to a local clinic or lab to collect a blood sample to ship back to the PROMISE Study for analysis. Participants will be compensated $50 for their time in the form of a gift card after completing the questionnaire and screening blood draw. The research team will analyze this blood sample to detect if participants have one of the two precursor conditions: MGUS or SMM.  Participants that test positive for one of these conditions will be invited to take part in a group that will be followed on a regular basis. Participants that test negative will be invited to be re-screened every three years.

To learn more information about the PROMISE Study, please visit www.PromiseStudy.org.

We are also happy to answer any questions at (617) 582-8544 or by email at PROMISEstudy@partners.org

Thank you for your consideration. With your help, we can find a way to stop multiple myeloma before it starts! Irene Ghobrial, MD

Research Opportunity

My name is Melissa Wanzer, and I am a former cancer patient, a Professor in the Communication Department at Canisius College in Buffalo NY, and a health communication researcher. 

My research team is reaching out to anyone who has ever received a cancer diagnosis and inviting them to participate in one or two related studies we are conducting on cancer survivorship resources. Several organizations that offer services to individuals affected by cancer, Great Lakes Cancer Center (WNY), Survivor Journeys (MA), and Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center (NY), are involved in this important project. We plan to share our findings with local and national organizations that offer cancer survivorship resources to individuals affected by cancer.

This cancer survivorship study is in final data research analysis. Results of the study will be shared on this page once the investigators make them available to Survivor Journeys.   If you have questions about this research, please reach out to Melissa Wanzer wanzerm@canisius.edu

Thank you for considering this request. If you have questions about this research, please reach out to Melissa Wanzer wanzerm@canisius.edu

Sincerely,
Melissa Wanzer, Ed.D. Professor, Communication Department Canisius College
Jennifer Wojcik, Physician Assistant, Survivorship Program Director, Great Lakes Cancer
Jay Burton, DO, Founder/President, Survivor Journeys®
Autumn Mathias, PhD, MSW, LCSW, Director of Programs, Survivor Journeys®
Randy Hight, LCSW, OSW-C, Director of Nancy Marx Cancer Wellness Center
Claire Wanzer, graduate student, Virginia Tech, M.A. Communication

Mind-Body Resiliency/Fear of Recurrence Study

  • Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center are studying the impact of fear of cancer recurrence among adults who have completed cancer treatment. This research is funded by the NIH (1K23AT010157-01, PI: Hall) and is active under the Dana Farber / Harvard Cancer Center IRB (Protocol 21-090, PI: Hall).
  • After completing cancer treatment, many cancer survivors may worry about getting cancer again. Our study investigators have developed a virtual mind-body skills-based group program to target fear of cancer recurrence. Participation will help to determine whether the program can help cancer survivors cope with fear about getting cancer again.
  • The research study is randomized, which means that there is a 50/50 chance that participants will be assigned to the mind-body group or to usual care, which includes information about virtual support groups for cancer survivors in the greater Boston community. This study is only open to patients with a MassGeneralBrigham or Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center medical record number.
  • Once enrolled in the study, participants will be asked to complete three surveys at different points and to complete an exit interview after program completion. Compensation of up to $100 is provided for participating in this study.
  • If you are interested in learning more about the study, please contact the study coordinators at FOCUS@mgh.harvard.edu and 617-982-3972. Taking part in this research study is voluntary and will not impact the care you receive. Download the flyer for more information.
  • Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center are studying the impact of fear of cancer recurrence among adults who have completed cancer treatment. This research is funded by the NIH (1K23AT010157-01, PI: Hall) and is active under the Dana Farber / Harvard Cancer Center IRB (Protocol 21-090, PI: Hall).
  • This study is no longer recruiting participants. If you are interested in learning more about the status of this study, please contact the study coordinators at FOCUS@mgh.harvard.edu and/or 617-982-3972.