For more than 30 years, Jack Hillard has been a patient at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center. First diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia, he later developed early-stage colon cancer and skin cancer. Today, at 65, the Lexington resident leads an active, healthy life thanks to treatment he received at Markey — treatment made possible through research.
“I can’t imagine anything more exciting than being part of a new research breakthrough,” said Hillard. “Multiple members of my family have had cancer in previous generations, but I’m hoping that my nieces and nephews won’t have to go through what they have due to a new research breakthrough.”
Hillard now serves on Markey’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) as a representative for Central Kentucky. He is one of a dozen Kentuckians from across the state who make up the CAB, which advises Markey Cancer Center Director B. Mark Evers, MD, on Markey research and outreach activities and ensures that the center serves the needs of communities throughout Kentucky.
Hillard and other CAB members recently shared their perspectives on the importance of cancer research in a new video highlighting the board’s advocacy work.
For Hillard, serving on the board is his way of “paying it back and paying it forward.” Research advancements made it possible for him to take a drug that successfully keeps his leukemia in check. And he continues with quarterly checkups with his hematologist at Markey.
Led by Markey’s Community Impact Office, the CAB meets regularly throughout the year. Members have joined lab tours, met with researchers and provided feedback on research projects. They also offered input on the Kentucky Cancer Needs Assessment, Markey’s strategic plan, research priorities and outreach activities.
As CAB members learn more about cancer research at Markey, they’ve become passionate advocates for more people to participate in cancer research. Many of them, like Hillard, are survivors or caregivers who understand firsthand how advances in prevention, screening, treatment and survivorship research have reduced the burden of cancer and saved lives.
“CAB members share what they learn with their friends, families and neighbors,” said Pamela Hull PhD, Markey’s associate director of Population Science and Community Impact. “They help to spread the word about how cancer research can benefit their communities across Kentucky.”
Clinical studies are vital to advancing cancer care. Markey offers numerous clinical studies that give patients access to innovative treatments and therapies that aren’t yet widely available. Patient participation in these studies is critical not only for individual treatment options but also for developing better approaches to cancer prevention, detection and treatment that will benefit future generations.
“Supporting cancer research is both a moral imperative and a smart investment in our future,” Hillard said. “The treatments that are helping me today will be replaced by even better therapies for future generations. We need to maintain our momentum in research to ensure the next generation has better options than what’s available today.”
Learn more about Community Impact Office activities and Markey clinical studies, or sign up for research study announcements.