August 27, 2026 – The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology has released a film highlighting the critical role of participant involvement in advancing cancer research and improving care.
Presented by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) and produced for us by BBC StoryWorks Commercial Productions as part of the global Rewriting Cancer series, the feature tells the story of JaTaun Williams, a 68-year-old Chicago-based special education teacher diagnosed with lung cancer after seeking care for COVID-19 like symptoms. Upon her diagnosis, Williams chose to enroll in a clinical trial as part of her treatment. She shares her experience to help others understand the importance of clinical trials and how individual participation contributes to progress in cancer research.
Rather than focusing on a specific trial, the film emphasizes the human element of research; exploring the decision-making process behind trial participation and highlight how volunteers gain access to innovative treatments while contributing to future advancement in cancer care.
“Clinical trials are an essential part of making progress against cancer, often leading to FDA approvals, influencing national guidelines and creating new standards of care,” said Evanthia Galanis, MD, DSc, Group Chair of the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology. “This film offers us an opportunity to showcase patients like Mrs. Williams and the tens of thousands of individuals like her who have participated in Alliance trials over the decades, donating their time and entrusting us with their care.”
Funding support was provided from Natera, Inc., in partnership with the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, part of the National Clinical Trials Network sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to raising awareness about the importance of clinical research and the contributions of people who participate in clinical trials.
The film is now available online at https://bit.ly/Alliance-Video
About the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
The Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology is a national leader in advancing cancer research, uniting over 26,000 cancer specialists at 112 main institutions and 1,400 affiliates across the U.S. and Canada. As part of the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and a leading research base for the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), the Alliance conducts pioneering, practice-changing clinical trials that improve outcomes and reshape standards of care. Our work has led to multiple FDA approvals, influenced national guidelines, and produced hundreds of high-impact publications. More than 40,000 participants have taken part in Alliance studies, and our growing biospecimen repository now includes over 1.5 million samples, collected over the past 30 years. Learn more at www.AllianceforClinicalTrialsinOncology.org .
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