My name is Irene Soulsby and I’m part of Kasia’s group (and a member of a few other Public and Patient Involvement groups)
I live in the Gateshead area and worked in Newcastle for 35 years
I’m a cancer survivor of 18 years, successfully treated, and had my radiotherapy treatment at the General Hospital site in 2003!
I had the opportunity to take early retirement and discovered taking part in research as a “healthy volunteer” and I have taken part in quite a few studies over the years – Parkinsons, “brain and movement” are some of them. I’ve spent quite a few hours in the gait labs and also in the scanners over the years.
I’m very conscious that “I’m here because of research” and that others have taken part in research and trials, etc for me to be here. I want to do the same for others.
Researchers are always looking for new treatments and finding out more about us as people (although we’re all different, some things will be the same). A lot of thought goes into research and researchers spend a lot of time with patients to find out how best to develop this. A new treatment might be discovered through your participation!
