Here for You
on Your Cancer Journey
If you're a cancer patient of color, you’re in the club. Let’s talk about clinical trials.
What We Stand For
Mission
Our mission is to empower patients of color with the knowledge and trust to pursue clinical trials that can save or extend their lives.
Vision
We envision a world where communities of color receive the best and most advanced healthcare available, allowing them to live full, healthy lives.
We are committed to ALWAYS working in the best interest of patients and communities.
Make a donation.
Support our work to enable communities of color to get the best possible healthcare.
Why We Do This
We know the dark past of medical care and experimentation in our community
We’ve experienced the bias, the lack of attention, the experimentation without our consent. We’ve seen how far we’ve come, but also how far we have to go. We’re ready to get the care we need, have our questions answered and our concerns addressed — from people who respect us, who look like us, and who know where we’ve been.
But we are missing from life-saving clinical trials
Only 6% of clinical trial participants are African American or Hispanic.
Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and American Indians are similarly under-represented relative to their rate of diagnosis (see the 2020 AACR Report). As a result, we are missing out on high-quality care now and in the future - as less is known about whether these medicines will be effective for our communities.
Get your clinical trial questions answered,
by people you trust
Guidance and info for you when you need it — no required commitments, only support.
Free 1-1 Peer Support Consultation
Advising cancer patients on how to navigate their care confidently and knowledgeably is what we do best. In a 30-minute session, Karen will walk you through what a clinical trial is, what questions you can ask of your healthcare provider, and more. This service is currently free and 100% confidential thanks to the support of our generous donors.
We are not healthcare providers, but can support you through your conversations with your providers.
Live Webinars with Healthcare Providers
We know how important it is to talk directly to providers who are running clinical trials, who understand our concerns as patients of color. You’ll learn directly from providers — what trials are, how to find ones that might be a good fit, and talk through the big questions and concerns.
Continue to check back for new ways Karen’s Club will be supporting patients of color.
Meet Karen
Stage IV Cancer Survivor, thanks to a clinical trial.
African American, with the experience of what that means in our medical system. She has had to fight her way into a trial, and knows how hard it can be.
Supported dozens of patients and families to seek and receive care, and explore clinical trials.
Longtime New Yorker currently living in Harlem.
Mother, sister, daughter.
As Seen in the Media…
Our work has been recognized by health professionals, institutions, and media outlets across the country.
The Imperative of Inclusion (BBC Storyworks)
The Importance of Grassroots Health Advocacy and Lay Navigation in Communities of Color
How Clinical Trials Are Failing All of Us—Especially Black Patients
The AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2020: Achieving the Bold Vision of Health Equity for Racial and Ethnic Minorities and Other Underserved Populations.
Reviews from Karen’s Club Members
“Cancer runs heavy in my family. I refuse to address it because I have lost so many love ones…She provided me with steps on how to not run from the reality of the disease but how to educated my self, share the knowledge and how to advocate for myself. Thank you Karen.”
— Shemene M., New York
“When my daughter was in a struggle with triple negative breast cancer we saw an article about Karen in People Magazine, we reached out to her…she gave my daughter advice and medical guidance, and most of all, hope.”
— Michael D., New Jersey
“If you're in need of true education and support from someone that was on the same journey as you, you've come to the right place. Karen was very informative and helpful…Keep up the awesome work!!
— Anonymous
Meet Our Team
Karen Peterson
Founder & Chief Patient Advocate
Karen (she/her), an experienced patient advocate, had her life saved by a clinical trial after being diagnosed with Stage IV Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Karen fought through multiple obstacles to enter this trial, and her story has been shared with Essence, Health, People magazines and The Today Show. She’s counseled dozens of patients and families on how to demand the best care.
Nava Friedman
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
Nava (she/her) has long worked at the intersection of the social impact and technology sectors, most recently leading product development at Catchafire.org, the world's largest pro bono matching platform. She has a deep background in the nonprofit industry and holds a BA in Religion and African Studies from Princeton University. She’s the daughter and granddaughter of metastatic cancer patients.
Join the Club
This isn’t a club any of us hoped to join, but we are here for you. Join us to book a 1:1 or hear about our webinars and new ways we’ll be supporting patients of color to seek the best care.
Supported by:
Blue Ridge Labs is a place where tech workers and communities collaborate to address social issues using the power of technology.
Karen’s Club is a fiscally sponsored project of the Fund for the City of New York, a 501c3 registered in NYC (EIN: 3-2612524).