The Power of Participation

“Every breakthrough in medicine starts with people.”

– Dr. Richard Pratley, Senior Investigator-AdventHealth Translational Research Institute

Before new diabetes technologies reach patients… before new treatments improve daily life… before researchers better understand diseases like Type 1 diabetes (T1D)… someone has to volunteer for the research itself.

At the AdventHealth Translational Research Institute (TRI), Central Florida families are helping make that progress possible.

For people living with T1D, research is personal. Managing the disease requires constant decision-making involving insulin, food, exercise, sleep, stress, illness, and blood sugar monitoring. Even with major advances in continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery systems, there is still no cure, and daily management can be physically and emotionally exhausting. That’s why clinical trials matter.

“Every advancement in T1D care - from the discovery of insulin to modern automated insulin delivery devices - has been made possible because volunteers were willing to participate in research studies. But there is still work to be done. Treatments to help with glucose control and weight as well as decrease the risk of heart and kidney disease are being tested in the clinic today. And there are promising developments in immunotherapy to prevent or slow progression to T1D, ” Dr. Richard Pratley explained.

More Than Just Medicine

Many people hear the words “clinical trial” and immediately think of experimental drugs or risky medical procedures. But modern clinical research is far broader than that. Some studies evaluate medications or diabetes technologies. Others focus on exercise, nutrition, metabolism, sleep, emotional health, or quality of life. Some studies simply help researchers better understand how T1D develops and changes over time.

At TRI, researchers are studying important questions like:

• How physical activity affects blood sugar management
• Why some people develop complications while others do not
• How metabolism changes in people with T1D
• How technology can reduce the burden of diabetes management
• How lifestyle factors may improve long-term health outcomes

Each study helps researchers better understand the everyday realities of living with Type 1 diabetes. And according to researchers, those discoveries would not happen without community participation.

“Research doesn’t happen without volunteers,” said Richard Pratley, MD, “Every person who participates helps move science forward.”

Why Central Florida Matters

Researchers say Central Florida plays an especially important role in diabetes research because of its large and diverse population.

Having participants from different ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, and health experiences helps researchers better understand how diseases affect real people in the real world. That diversity can lead to more accurate findings and more personalized approaches to care.

Many of TRI’s study volunteers are local families directly impacted by T1D. Some are adults living with the disease themselves. Others are parents of children with diabetes or relatives who want to better understand their own risk. For many families, participating in research becomes about helping future generations.

“All of the promising approaches in development today can only be tested if people living with T1D volunteer for studies. Your participation is vitally important in the effort to change the face of T1D care,” noted Dr. Pratley.

Research Has Already Changed Daily Life

Many of the tools people with T1D rely on today exist because previous generations participated in clinical trials.

Continuous glucose monitors.
Insulin pumps.
Hybrid closed-loop systems.
Advances in screening and early detection.

All of these innovations required years of research before becoming widely available. Researchers say clinical trials don’t just help people live longer, they help improve quality of life.

Some studies focus on reducing fear of hypoglycemia, improving sleep, increasing “time in range,” or helping people feel more confident managing diabetes in daily life. Others explore ways to make blood sugar management safer, easier, and less stressful. That work may not always make national headlines, but for families living with T1D, those improvements can be life changing.

3 Common Myths About Clinical Trials

Even though clinical research has transformed diabetes care, many people still hesitate to participate because of misconceptions about what clinical trials involve.

Myth #1: “I’ll be treated like a guinea pig.”

False. Clinical trials today follow strict safety regulations and ethical guidelines. Participants receive detailed information before joining a study, including possible risks and benefits, and participation is always voluntary. Researchers say participant safety is the top priority.

Myth #2: “Clinical trials are only for people with severe disease.”

Not true. Some studies involve people newly diagnosed with T1D. Others include healthy volunteers, family members, or individuals at higher risk for developing the disease. Researchers often need participants from many different health backgrounds to better understand how diabetes develops and how treatments work.

Myth #3: “Clinical trials are only about medications.”

Wrong. Many studies have nothing to do with testing drugs. Some focus on exercise, nutrition, metabolism, technology, sleep, mental health, or lifestyle behaviors. At TRI, researchers are exploring how everyday factors may affect blood sugar management and long-term health outcomes for people living with T1D.

More Than Research — It’s Hope

For many volunteers, participating in research becomes about more than science. It becomes about helping the next family facing a diagnosis. Parents often say they participate because they hope future children with T1D will face fewer challenges than their own child did. Adults living with diabetes say research participation gives them a sense of purpose and empowerment in a disease that can often feel unpredictable.

Researchers say every participant matters, whether a study leads to a major breakthrough or simply helps scientists ask better questions for the future.

Every blood sample.
Every survey.
Every clinic visit.
Every volunteer.

Together, they help researchers move closer to improving, and someday potentially transforming, life with Type 1 diabetes.

“The team at the Translational Research Institute is committed to improving the lives of people living with T1D through research that advances care,” said Dr. Richard Pratley. “If you are curious about our work, we encourage you to stop by, meet the team, and learn how you can help make a difference.”

At TRI, the message is simple: breakthroughs don’t happen alone. They happen because communities are willing to participate, share their experiences, and help move research forward. And in Central Florida, families are already helping shape the future of diabetes care.

If you would like to learn more about participating in a clinical trial at AdventHealth Translational Research Institute, call the research team at Call407-303-7100 or visit:
https://www.adventhealth.com/institutes/research/contact-us