On Sept. 10, 2001, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched the Consumer Advocates in Research and Related Activities (CARRA) program – a landmark initiative convened a large network of dedicated advocates who bring the viewpoint of those affected by cancer to NCI.

NCI staff, including researchers and scientists, were able to rely on the CARRA network of more than 200 advocates to give insight and feedback from the consumer’s perspective to their developing programs.