Sharon Rivera Sanchez, a 10-year Triple-Negative Breast Cancer survivor, is turning her personal experience into a powerful mission. As a five-time clinical trial participant, Sharon founded Trials of Color to confront the systemic barriers that prevent underserved cancer patients from accessing quality healthcare and participating in clinical research. The organization’s core mission is to bridge this gap, ensuring that clinical trials and cancer research are more inclusive and reflective of diverse populations. By giving a voice to those often overlooked, Sharon is a driving force for equity in the medical community.

Her work has been significantly boosted by partnerships, including with the PATIENTS Going National Initiative at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Seantae Jackson, co-founder of the Sandal Blue Foundation, lauded this collaboration, noting, “we have the ability to include patients working with researchers and physicians across the United States to have a voice and co-develop research.” This initiative highlights a critical shift in medical research, moving from a top-down approach to one that actively incorporates patient feedback. Jackson emphasized that this collective voice “is going to impact so many people,” helping patients feel less isolated in their journey.

The collaboration underscores a new era of patient-centered research where individual experiences directly shape scientific inquiry. As Jackson explained, “When we’re creating an opportunity to do research, we’re really tapping into individual feedback, which can shape and form research that is going to help many people.” Sanchez’s future research proposals will continue to focus on cancer, building on this foundation of patient advocacy to ensure that scientific advancements benefit all communities equally. Her work with Trials of Color is not just about survival; it’s about shaping a more just and inclusive future for cancer care.