This International Clinical Trials Day, let’s take a moment to recognize the incredible contributions of patient participants, the loved ones who support them, and the dedicated researchers, staff, and trainees who make it all possible.

Clinical trials can save lives, improve quality of life, contribute to knowledge, and shape the future of health care, but participating is no small feat—it takes courage, commitment, and hope.

From evaluating the benefits and risks of treatments to finding the right dosages, clinical trials are essential to the advancement of health care and can offer an alternative for those who have exhausted all conventional options. Some trials provide early access to therapies before they have been approved for general use, while others focus on comparing different treatments or improving health care practices.

What do patients have to say about clinical trials? Three trial participants at The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) shared their perspectives:

From left to right: Christopher Wanczycki, Alicia Hilderley and Jonathan Love

Alicia Hilderley participated in an immunotherapy clinical trial at TOH that helped extend her life after a diagnosis of stage IV cervical cancer.

“I know I helped provide better care for future patients, contributed to change, and hopefully ensured no one else goes through what I went through,” says Alicia. “I always recommend clinical trials, even if it’s not the last resort for treatment. It was more than life changing for me—it was life saving.”

Christopher Wanczycki participated in a clinical trial of “prehabilitation” at TOH that helped him prepare for and recover after his cancer surgery.

“A cancer diagnosis is never easy, and I can’t imagine what my recovery would have been like without this program,” says Christopher. “My surgery was on a Monday. By Wednesday, I could sit in a chair to eat lunch. On Thursday, I had dressed myself and was up at the nursing station trying to check myself out. By Friday, I was climbing the stairs at home. That would not have been possible without the prehab program.”

Jonathan Love participated in a clinical trial at TOH to compare different treatments for venous thromboembolism, a kind of blood clot.

“If we’re going to improve our health-care system, we must do research—it’s not guesswork to find solutions that actually work,” says Jonathan. “The care I received was exceptional, and it felt good getting involved in research that I knew would help others.”

Clinical trials drive discovery, healing and hope. On this special day, we celebrate everyone who makes them possible and pave the way for a healthier future.

If you’re interested in participating in clinical trials at TOH, there are three ways to get involved, including agreeing to have researchers contact you, participating in a research study or becoming a patient partner with researchers. You can also browse our active clinical trials and ask your care team if you’re eligible to participate.

The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health, research and learning hospital proudly affiliated with the University of Ottawa and supported by The Ottawa Hospital Foundation.