Melissa Contreras-Nourse, clinical trial adviser/consultant:
It's important to have a variety of people that can enroll in clinical trials
because diversity is important not only in medical affairs but in global affairs.

Matthew Lunning, UNMC joint vice chancellor of clinical trials:
Clinical trials are the starting point for our understanding of which treatments can improve the outcomes of an illness. In oncology in particular, clinical trials can usually be the way in which standard treatments are established or new therapies are made available to treat diseases.

ON SCREEN (WRITTEN): Maria is in a clinical trial at the UNMC Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. These trials provide patients the benefit of the latest discoveries developed by top doctors and scientists.

ON SCREEN (WRITTEN): Maria is usually accompanied to her appointments by her grandson, who acts as her advocate and sometimes her interpreter.

Francisco Gutierrez: 
I came with her because back in 2013 they (UNMC) did my kidney transplant.
Upon seeing how they treated me here and how we were able to overcome all that is involved with a transplant thatŐs why I decided to bring her here, too, when she began to feel sick.

Maria Alvarran: Well, I am satisfied that God gave me relief here.