1535 Background: One of the barriers to finding the cause of breast cancer is the difficulty basic scientists have in involving healthy women and obtaining human tissues, fluids, and information processed according to their needs. The Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation has collaborated with basic scientists successfully recruiting community women for studies. These efforts led to the Love/Avon Army of Women (AOW), a new “just in time” resource seeking to partner women with scientists to find the cause and prevention of breast cancer. Methods: The AOW is a pool of volunteers who have registered online ( www.armyofwomen.org ) that they are willing to participate in research. Peer-reviewed, funded projects submitted by researchers are reviewed by the AOW Scientific Advisory Committee for eligibility. An eBlast is sent to all AOW volunteers describing the study, and eligible women RSVP to the AOW for a secondary screen. The list is then sent to the researcher. If needed, referrals are made to a regional AOW Center for specimen collection, processing, and shipment. All scientists participate in a webcast with the eligible volunteers to explain the research before the study and describe the overall results at the end, ensuring a partnership between the women and the investigators. Results: AOW recruitment was initiated October 1, 2008, by Dr. Love on national media with the goal of creating a resource of 1,000,000 women available for researchers. To date over 260,000 women have joined. All ethnicities, ages (18–89), and states are represented. The first eBlast was sent out in mid-October for the Sister Study to accrue the last 5,000 women needed from diverse backgrounds. In 48 hours, 1,600 women had responded and qualified, and in 2 months, 2,500 had signed up with a 90% enrollment rate. The second study required women who were breastfeeding and scheduled for a breast biopsy. In one week, 30 eligible women were identified. Conclusions: The Love/Avon Army of Women is a just in time resource for breast cancer scientists to obtain exactly the specimens: breast or adipose tissue, ductal fluid, urine, saliva, blood, or information processed exactly as needed. This new partnership between women and scientists promises to revolutionize research and accelerate efforts to find the cause and prevention of breast cancer. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
A Novel Just-In-Time-Online-Training for Nasopharyngeal Swab Specimen Collection During the COVID-19 Pandemic
