National Infant Immunization Week

PMG Research and Greater Gift Initiative Support

National Infant Immunization Week

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) will be held April 20 to April 27 giving parents and caregivers an opportunity to learn about the dangers of vaccine-preventable disease and the benefits of childhood immunizations. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), we can now protect infants and children from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before the age of two because of immunizations in the United States. 

As current players in advancing global health, PMG Research, Inc. and the Greater Gift Initiative are proud supporters of National Infant Immunization week.  The Greater Gift Initiative has the mission to provide one vaccine to one child every time one clinical trial volunteer makes the important decision to volunteer for a clinical trial. Through their support of NIIW, Greater Gift Initiative is able to emphasize the importance of immunizations in children both nationally and worldwide. 

Jennifer Byrne Recognized as an Innovator for Change in the Clinical Trials Industry

Today, Jennifer Byrne was chosen as one of the "20 Innovators Changing the Face of the Clinical Trial Industry" as part of an initiativeThe CenterWatch Monthly organized to mark its 20th year.

Jennifer has been recognized for founding the Greater Gift Initiative and CenterWatch says...

"Jennifer Byrne, president and COO of PMG Research wanted to honor clinical trial volunteers and let them know their participation matters. Her idea: For each volunteer who enrolls in a trial, a vaccine is donated to a child in need.
Byrne believes the initiative, which to date has donated 18,700 vaccines to children worldwide, allows study volunteers to feel they have made an important contribution to others, both in helping bring new drugs to market and in providing potentially life-saving vaccines to children. 'It allows them to connect the dots in a positive outcome-if not for themselves, hopefully for somebody else' she said.
Byrne, who has 25 years of clinical research experience, also believes the program can help boost the image of clinical trials and envisions vaccine donations for needy children becoming the industry-wide standard for honoring trial participation.
Her program, the Greater Gift Initiative, began under the umbrella of PMG Research and now has become an independent, nonprofit organization. It has expanded to include four additional site networks, as well as sponsors, CROs and independent physician investigators.
Byrne, who serves as the organization's founding president, said 'It's important to reinforce that what we do really is meaningful and does make a difference'."

Congratulations, Jennifer! It is your spirit, drive and dedication that has made PMG and GGI what it is today!


(Content adapted by the CenterWatch Monthly April Publication)

PMG Research of Wilmington…a Finalist for the 2013 Vaccine Industry Excellence (ViE) Award

   

The winner will be announced during the 6^th ViE Awards ceremony April 17^th as part of the Annual World Vaccine Congress in Washington, D.C.

Vax Consortium sites made quite a showing in the shortlist of nominees for the Best Clinical Site & Trial Network Finalists, making up four of the eight sites on the shortlist. PMG Research is honored to be a Best Clinical Site & Trial Network Finalist and a Vax Consortium partner.

Thank you to everyone who nominated PMG Research for the only awards ceremony dedicated to the vaccine research industry. 

We are honored to be recognized for contributions to vaccine development and excellence in our work.

Here are the 2013 Finalists:

http://www.terrapinn.com/2013/world-vaccine-congress-washington/awards.stm      

 

 Vax Consortium is:

    

Apixaban Featured in the New England Journal of Medicine

The FDA approved apixaban in December 2012 with an indication of reducing the risk of stroke and dangerous blood clots (systemic embolism) in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation in the United States.

The AMPLIFY trial, conducted by Kevin Cannon, MD and his team at PMG Research of Wilmington, was featured in the New England Journal of Medicine on February 23, 2013.

Apixaban is a new treatment option for reducing the risk of stroke.

Thank you and congratulations to the volunteers who contributed to the development of this new medication for stroke prevention through their participation in this clinical research study.

Be sure to click here to read the New England Journal of Medicine article.

What's Happening at PMG

Dr. van Cleeff, an Investigator with the PMG Research of Cary site, was in Montrouis, Haiti. He and his group were doing home visits with older patients who couldn't make it into the clinic.

Thank you for giving your time to provide medical attention and touch the lives of the people in Haiti!

 

The PMG Research of Knoxville site has moved and their new location is:

1200 Merchant Drive

Knoxville, TN 37912

865-244-4276

www.PMGofKnoxville.com

Robin Roberts from Good Morning America Attributes Clinical Trials to her Recovery

Five months after recovering from a bone marrow transplant, Robin Roberts returned to Good Morning America (GMA)! The morning-show co-host has overcome breast cancer, and most recently a condition known as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Few probably had ever heard of this condition, much less know what it is.  MDS is a disorder where the bone marrow produces too few functioning red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Robin's treatment involved chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and a long recovery.

Today Robin returned to GMA looking healthy and happy.  She discussed her diagnosis and treatment along side her doctors and attributed clinical trials to her successful outcome.  "Thank you for making me a part of clinical trials," she said.  "I have benefitted from those who have made treatments available" she indicated, through their participation in clinical trials.  She and her doctor expressed to the audience that the standard treatments of today were developed because those before us had chosen to participate in clinical trials.  Her physician noted "Our obligation is to develop the standard of care for the patients of tomorrow."   Click here to see the entire video from GMA.

 

Sources: abc2news.com, About.com, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

Heart Healthy Month

Heart disease does not discriminate and affects both men and women of most ethnic groups almost equally.  In fact, did you know heart disease is the #1 killer in America, ahead of cancer and accidents?  A staggering rate of roughly 25% of deaths (almost 600,000) in the U.S. each year is due to heart disease.  Is that enough to make you reconsider your habits and commit to a better lifestyle?

Maintaining a healthy heart is always essential, but what better time than now to start practicing heart-healthy habits.  Although some causes of heart disease are genetic, your lifestyle still plays a role in affecting the condition of your heart.  Some things you can do to keep your body’s most important muscle in good condition are:

·         Eat healthy – We all know eating right is crucial to maintaining a healthy weight (which is important for having a healthy heart), but it is also essential for heart health in itself.  Some foods that are ‘good for the heart’ are beans and legumes, fish, fruits and vegetables, nuts and whole grains.  Stay away from foods high in fat, sodium and sugar.  And no matter what you’re eating, remember to use good portion control.

·         Manage stress levels – Being stressed causes breathing and heart rate to speed up, which in turn causes blood pressure to rise; over time, this can damage the artery walls.  Take time to incorporate stress busters into your life. Examples include getting enough sleep, pacing yourself, exercising, talking to friends and family, setting goals and making a plan to get there, figuring out what your pleasures are and indulging in them and thinking positively.

·         Quit smoking – Besides damaging your lungs, smoking is bad for your heart as it increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, atherosclerosis (buildup of fatty substances in the arteries), peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysms.

·         Exercise – You can lower your risk of heart disease by exercising for as little as 30 minutes a day.  Aerobic activities such as jogging, walking and swimming are very beneficial for your heart.   If you’ve been sedentary for a long time, start slow – some exercise is better than none and you have to start somewhere!

·         Increasing day-to-day physical activity – Everyday chores and other tasks can be modified to benefit your health – park farther away when out shopping, use a push mower instead of a riding one, use stairs instead of elevators.

Why not start now and make a commitment to adopt healthy habits and keep your heart in good shape?  You’ll love yourself for it later.

Author:  Caroline Ballard, PMG Research

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Heart Association