Voice for the DM Community

MDF is pleased to announce that MDF Support Group Facilitator and community member Carolyn Valek has been selected to serve as a Consumer Reviewer for the myotonic dystrophy peer review in the 2018 Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP).  

New Research Funding Source

After two years of MDF advocacy efforts, myotonic dystrophy was added as an eligible research area in the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (PRMRP), which receives funding through the CDMRP, for the first time in fiscal year 2018. This was a significant achievement, as it made a $300M pot of research funding available to myotonic dystrophy researchers. 

MDF nominated 4 individuals this past spring to serve as Consumer Reviewers, and the next round of assignments will be in late September. The CDMRP Peer Review involves patients and advocates who play a pivotal role in the future of biomedical research funding. CDMRP’s mission is to transform healthcare for Armed Service members and the American public, and the CDMRP looks to those who have the most experience, who understand the effects of a disease or a condition - the individuals (consumers) living with myotonic dystrophy.

Improving Outcomes with the Patient Voice

By integrating patients into the scientific review process, CDMRP is able to enrich the scientific review with personal perspective, passion, and a sense of urgency that ensures the human dimension is incorporated in the research focus. Over 2,000 consumers have served as Peer and Programmatic reviewers since 1995. By partnering with consumers, the CDMRP strives to find and fund collaborative research that discovers, develops, and delivers health care solutions for Armed Service members, Veterans, and the American public. 

Congratulations Carolyn!

Congratulations to Carolyn! We know you will be an excellent voice for the MDF community in this important project.