Bridging the gap between research and patients

Non-profit director sees a role for her organization

As a patient advocate, Anaphylaxis Canada's executive director Laurie Harada says AllerGen's annual conference, Innovation from Cell to Society², left her feeling hopeful that research being conducted in Canada and elsewhere will improve health outcomes for those suffering from anaphylaxis and other allergic diseases.

AllerGen's role as a catalyst of collaborative research has succeeded in linking researchers with groups like Anaphylaxis Canada, the Asthma and Allergy Information Association, l'Association québécoise des allergies alimentaires, the Canadian Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Foundation, the Asthma Society of Canada and the Canadian Lung Association, as well as industry and government organizations. This multi-disciplined, multi-sectoral approach to solving real-world issues that face allergic disease sufferers creates idea-rich research environments for clinical, academic and industry representatives, and for patient advocates like Harada.

Anaphylaxis Canada Executive Director Laurie Harada responds to questions during a panel discussion at AllerGen's conference.

Harada, who presented as part of a symposium on research, education and knowledge translation in the areas of food allergy, anaphylaxis and asthma, says that the conference showed that researchers, whether looking at anaphylaxis or asthma, are grappling with the same issues – income as a barrier to medication, teens exhibiting high-risk behaviour, poor self-management of disease and other factors affecting disease management.

The face of allergy

Although Harada doesn't have a science background, she believes it is important for Anaphylaxis Canada to participate in these types of events. Anaphylaxis Canada acts as a voice for children and parents who are at risk, and provides the information and support to those families who need their hope reaffirmed.

"They need to know that work is ongoing. We (Anaphylaxis Canada) bridge the gap between research and the patient," she says. "We don't perform the research, but Anaphylaxis Canada can disseminate practical tools to help those who live with this disease to live well."

Harada views her role at the conference as providing "the human face" of allergic disease to investigators and representatives from both industry and government.

"We're the reason for the research, the reason for innovation from cell to society. We're the end piece, that societal element."