Through the continued partnership, individuals affected by rare blood cancers, including various types of leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, will have the opportunity to actively participate in potentially life-saving clinical research
Blood Cancer UK, RareCan renew partnership to expedite research into rare cancers. (Credit: fernando zhiminaicela from Pixabay)
Blood Cancer UK has renewed its partnership with RareCan, aiming to further enhance RareCan’s patient membership and accelerate the implementation of clinical trials focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of rare cancers.
Through this continued partnership, individuals affected by rare blood cancers, including various types of leukaemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, will have the opportunity to actively participate in potentially life-saving clinical research. They can contribute tissue and blood samples, as well as genetic data, supporting advancements in the field.
RareCan, a digital health company, is dedicated to establishing a community of members who willingly share information about their cancer experiences. This platform empowers patients by giving them a voice and a space to connect, while simultaneously creating substantial cohorts that researchers can easily access. Founded in 2020, RareCan offers a range of tools co-designed by its members, aiding them in managing their lives while living with a rare cancer diagnosis.
Existing members of the RareCan community who have multiple myeloma have already had the opportunity to undergo screenings for potential clinical trials. More recently, they have been invited to join the Myeloma Research Panel organized by Pfizer. As the RareCan membership continues to grow, the prospects for new members diagnosed with blood cancer will expand accordingly.
Blood Cancer UK research deputy director Sarah McDonald said: “Where suitable making people aware of and directing them to RareCan could give people an opportunity to help researchers, and importantly give them hope that they can make a positive impact for themselves, and others in the future.”
RareCan founding director and CEO Piers Kotting said: “It is fantastic that Blood Cancer UK are actively renewing our partnership to support RareCan’s evolution and for the research community as a whole.
“We have already demonstrated that there is an unmet demand for people with rare cancer, and we know that by working together with Blood Cancer UK, RareCan will continue to grow cohorts in many of the rare blood cancers where research is lacking, allowing researchers access to detailed clinical, molecular and genetic data to identify the right patients at the right time. We look forward to welcoming all new members with a rare blood cancer to the RareCan community.”