Like many women, Dr. Susan Love was becoming increasingly frustrated by our not having made more progress in figuring out what causes breast cancer and how to prevent it. Scientists told her that they did not know how to find the women who would be interested in taking part in the studies that were needed to end this disease. Dr. Love realized the problem wasn’t that women didn’t want to participate in these studies, but that they didn’t know that they were needed. In short order, the idea was born of an Army of Women ready to serve science.

So how does it work? Women who are interested register on the Love/Avon Army of Women website, providing very basic information such as name, age, city, and state of residence. Army of Women members will receive email updates from the Love/Avon Army of Women announcing new research studies looking for volunteers just like you. The email will detail the research project and who and what the researchers need. If you fit the criteria and you’d like to participate, all you need to do is reply to the email and let us know you’ve accepted our “Call to Action.” If you accept the Call to Action, you will be contacted by an Army of Women staff member, who will make sure you meet the study criteria and answer any questions you might have about study participation. You will never be pressured to take part in any study. The decision to take part is yours — and yours alone. If you meet the study criteria and are interested in taking part, the Army of Women staff member will let you know what you need to do next.

Currently the Army of Women is only open to researchers working in the US. They hope to be able to expand the Army of Women internationally in the near future. If you live outside the US and would like to support this initiative, you can do so by donating to the Army of Women, purchasing a pendant, and encouraging women in the US you know to take part.

Visit the website at armyofwomen.org to find out more.

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