While I’ve learned first-hand about the infinite joys of
parenthood, one experience enjoyed this weekend taught me an old lesson, or
two.
On Saturday, I took my children to see Dr. Seuss’s “The
Lorax” at our local theater. Firstly, I realized how nice it’s been to become
re-exposed to books I’d likely read in kindergarten, but may have failed to
grasp at that age – or simply forgot. Many books, including the Dr. Seuss
collection contain messages that are equally valuable to be reminded of as an
adult. What’s particularly interesting, is how as an adult, we can relate our
messages to, well, more adult themes. Being that I’ve ate, slept and dreamt
about clinical research during these formidable past business start-up months –
it was only natural that my mind associated the story of The Lorax to our
industry.
For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of reading or watching
Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax, the story is about a young entrepreneur who cuts down
Truffula trees to harvest its crop without any regard for the environmental
impact of the trees’ existence, or how a tree (or Truffula-less) society would
impact future generations to come. Turns out, he cut all the trees, leaving the
town without any capability to manufacture fresh air. The movie was beautiful
to watch and as whimsical as a Dr. Seuss production could be…but it was the
final message at the end of the movie that truly caught my attention…and it was
this. UNLESS someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing is going to get
better. It’s not.
So what’s the association with clinical trials you ask?
Great question, my wife had the same one.
The trees, which are limited in quantity and extremely hard
to find in the first place can represent the shrinking pool of future potential
study participants. Study participants are great for our society, beautiful
creatures, most of which don’t even understand the gravity of their
contributions to the world…just like trees don’t pat themselves on the trunk
for providing photosynthesis…Anyhow, every negative story aired or published in
mainstream media that gives our business a bad name, without a future positive
story on research – is another fallen Truffula Tree. Perhaps the trees in my
whimsical daydream represent the willingness of our neighbors to participate in
clinical trials…and every chopped tree chips away at the chances that they
might someday plant a seed for future generation.
It’s a stretch I know, but think of it this way. Bad stories
will never end. They seem to be part of the news cycle. There’s not much we can
do to prevent them, but when we do see a tree cut down, why not plant a seed in
its place. That seed might someday foster some good person’s willingness to
contribution towards clinical research, and just might save or improve someone
else’s life. Once again, I’ll leave you with the story’s message.
UNLESS someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing is going
to get better. It’s not.
