Clinical trials event on tap

DURHAM -- N.C. Central University is hosting Aware for All the Triangle Saturday to raise public awareness about clinical trial participation.

The event will be held at NCCU's School of Education, 712 Cecil St., from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. It is free and open to the public but attendees are asked to register at: http://www.ciscrp.org/programs/aware/triangle/registration.html

The event will begin with a breakfast at 9 a.m., followed by health screenings for several common health disparities including blood glucose, blood pressure, BMI and stress levels.

The opening session will feature bioethicist and author Harriet Washington and Robert Califf, M.D., vice chancellor for clinical research and professor of medicine at Duke University.

Several prominent members of the medical community will address health issues including cancer treatment, cardiovascular disease and bioethical issues such as the parameters of informed consent and the importance of clinical research and participation by minorities in clinical trials.\

Door prizes will also be given away.

Aware for All the Triangle is a public education program to help people make informed decisions about clinical research participation. It is a collaborative effort among NCCU, Duke Medicine, UNC Chapel Hill, Project Connect, Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, The North Carolina Translational and Clinical Services Institute and the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Institute at UNC.

Volunteers are sought

DURHAM -- N.C. Central University students, staff and administrators -- along with community partners -- will clean part of Fayetteville Street Saturday as part of the university's Centennial Make a Difference Day.

Participants will work from 8 a.m.-noon to tidy the area between St. Joseph's AME Church and the Hayti Heritage Center.

NCCU Student Government Association president Dwayne Johnson invited area residents, business owners and church groups to join in and "cut weeds, rake and pick up litter."

The event is being held in conjunction with national Make a Difference Day.

Volunteering are asked to meet at the B.N. Duke Auditorium on Fayetteville Street at 8 a.m.

Contact Mark Donovan at mdonovan@heraldsun.com or (919) 419-6655.