Clinical Trials Ontario (CTO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Tina Ceroni to its Board of Directors, where she will represent the patient perspective.
“Ms. Ceroni brings extensive first-hand experience, both as a patient and clinical trial participant, to this new and important Board position,” said Susan Marlin, President and CEO, CTO.
“Her insights will strengthen the patient perspective in CTO’s activities, and help guide our increased focus on patient engagement and public awareness of clinical trials.”
At the age of 28, Ms. Ceroni was diagnosed with a rare and serious neurological disease called Stiff Person Syndrome. There is no known cure.
After struggling for years with debilitating symptoms such as painful muscle contractions in her whole body and difficulty breathing, Ms. Ceroni received a stem cell transplant in a clinical trial at The Ottawa Hospital.
Just over four years later, she is in remission and symptom free.
“I am proud to be living proof that a clinical trial can have the most positive outcome,” said Ms. Ceroni. “My story underlines the critical importance of clinical trials. They are essential in developing new treatments, care, and prevention for people with many diseases.”
Ms. Ceroni said she is “tremendously honoured to join the Board of CTO, an organization that supports and promotes a sector that has been the single-most important factor in my current health and, indeed, in my future.”
Ms. Ceroni is the founder of a not-for-profit organization called Share a Cell, which aims to raise awareness and funds for stem cell research and rare diseases.
She works as a kinesiologist at Trillium Health Partners, runs a personal fitness-training firm, and has volunteered in the past at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, working with patients, social workers, nursing staff and doctors.