CHRISTINE HODGDON
Christine Hodgdon was a conservation biologist before her metastatic breast cancer diagnosis in April 2015. She serves in an advisory role across multiple healthcare sectors, has completed dozens of research grant reviews, and has participated in several scientific advocacy trainings. Her advocacy career began when she launched TheStormRiders.org, an educational resource for MBC patients that includes a searchable clinical trial database. She later co-founded GRASP – Guiding Researchers & Advocates to Scientific Partnerships which empowers advocates and researchers to exchange ideas and learn from each other. She spearheaded the MBC Alliance’s Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis (BCBM) Initiative: Marina Kaplan Project to address the unmet research needs of breast cancer patients living with central nervous system metastasis. She also collaborates with leadership at Johns Hopkins to innovate the INSPIRE Research Advocacy Program. Important to any of the initiatives with which Christine is involved is working to end health disparities in underserved populations, especially in communities of color that are disproportionately impacted by breast cancer.
WHAT I'M WORKING ON
GRASP - Guiding Researchers & Advocates to Scientific Partnerships
GRASP empowers empower patients and researchers to exchange ideas and learn from each other. When patient advocates can inform the research process, we can drive more meaningful and fundable research that improves survival outcomes for breast cancer patients.
Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis (BCBM) Initiative: Marina Kaplan Project
BCBM Initiative: The Marina Kaplan Project aims to accelerate urgently-needed research on breast cancer brain metastasis through advocating for increased funding, collaborating with leading researchers, and influencing key stakeholders.
Link to programMBCBrainMets.org
As a one-stop resource hub for breast cancer patients living with brain metastasis, we are committed to sharing cutting-edge information and resources in a simple format. Curated by fellow patients and supported by nonprofit funding, our mission is to connect you to knowledge and support tailored specifically to your needs.
Link to programThe Johns Hopkins INSPIRE Breast Cancer Research Advocacy Program
The Influencing Science through Patient-Informed Research & Education (INSPIRE) Breast Cancer Research Advocacy Program research empowers breast cancer patients to become research advocates who can understand and inform the bench-to-bedside process. Members will serve as reviewers and advisors for scientists, researchers, and clinicians at the Johns Hopkins Women’s Malignancies Program.
Link to programTissue Donation
As highlighted at the Metastatic Breast Cancer Research Conference 2023, people living with MBC can provide hope for other people with MBC by donating their tissue to research after they die. Tissue donation can be done by arranging a rapid autopsy in advance. The research team works with MBC patients and their families to provide support about this difficult topic and make arrangements.
Link to program#INCLUSIONPLEDGE
The #InclusionPledge provides a transparent and tangible framework across stakeholders to identify and track equity actions, holding organizations accountable to making specific, measurable outcomes that will result in dismantling systemic barriers and co-creating solutions that will result in health equity for Black women and end disparities in our lifetime.
Link to programStorm Riders Network
The Storm Riders Network is a resource specifically for metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. The website provides scientifically accurate information about breast cancer and its treatments and distills this information into a digestible format that is easy to understand. Storm Riders also hosts a searchable clinical trial database.
Link to program