In June, b-present Foundation met with two cancer support groups to seek volunteer evaluators for our b-there online connection and support tool. First, we met with San Diego Rady Children’s Hospital Some of My Best Friends are Bald (SOMBFAB).

The following week we visited Stanford to meet with the Adolescent and Young Adult Patient & Family Advisory Council (SAYAC PFAC).

We are excited to have 12 volunteers so far! Our goal is to get input from a representative cross-section of users (cancer survivor peer groups, supporters, medical professionals, and the research community). It is only with this diversity of perspectives that we can ensure we have created a tool that meets the needs of the community we are trying to serve in the best way possible.

We are conducting the tool review in two phases:

Phase One: Our first review of the tool will focus on design, features, and ease of use of the prototype tool. On July 12, packets were distributed to our volunteer evaluators, and responses will be coming in over the next two months. After this first phase of testing, we will have a user workshop to discuss the findings and prioritize updates.

Phase Two: After the recommended software changes are implemented and validated, we will conduct our second phase of the review process. During this phase, volunteers will evaluate the utility and impact of the updated tool on overall patient/supporter interactions, connection, and support.

User input is important to us, and we are looking forward to what the community has to say. If you are a cancer survivor, supporter, researcher or medical professional interested in receiving more information or being an evaluator, please contact us. Thank you for your interest and your support.

Stay tuned! We will provide another update when our first phase review is complete.