Giving Caregivers a Voice: How Rare Patient Voice Empowers Families Through Research & Rewards with Wes Michael, Founder & President - Episode 108
Family caregivers are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system, providing over $650 billion in unpaid care annually and often facing immense personal, emotional, and financial challenges. But what if your invaluable experience could shape the future of healthcare and provide you with financial compensation? 🤔
In this episode of the Caregiver Relief Podcast, host Diane Carbo sits down with Wes Michael, the founder and president of Rare Patient Voice. Wes has built an incredible platform that acts as a "matchmaker," connecting patients and caregivers with paid research studies. It’s a space where your voice is not only heard but also valued and rewarded.
Ready to find out how you can make a difference and get compensated for your time? Tune in to the full episode!
What You'll Learn in This Episode đź“ť
Here's a sneak peek at the inspiring conversation between Diane and Wes:
- What is Rare Patient Voice? 🗣️: Wes explains how he went from marketing research for Cheerios to creating a platform with over 180,000 participants across 1,500+ conditions.
- How It Works 🤝: Learn how Rare Patient Voice acts as a matchmaker, connecting your experiences with pharmaceutical and biotech companies who need your insights—all while protecting your privacy.
- The "Invisible" Patient đź’”: Diane and Wes discuss how caregivers are often the "invisible second patient," with their own health and financial well-being taking a backseat.
- Get Paid for Your Time đź’°: Your time and insights are valuable! Participants are compensated at a rate of $120 per hour for their contributions. Wes is proud to have paid out over $15 million to patients and caregivers.
- Who Can Join? 🙋‍♀️: It's not just for "rare" conditions! Caregivers and patients with any and all conditions, from diabetes to asthma to Alzheimer's, are welcome to sign up.
- Your Privacy is Priority #1 đź”’: Wes details the strict security and HIPAA-compliant measures in place to ensure your personal and health information is always kept confidential.
- The Power of Your Story ✨: Discover how your real-world stories and feedback can influence everything from clinical trial design to the services that companies offer patients and families.
"The most important thing is, oh my God, somebody cares to hear what I have to say. I have a voice, I have an opinion. I want them to hear this. And then, oh, by the way, the money's nice." - Wes Michael
Get Involved and Make Your Voice Heard!
Being a caregiver is one of the most challenging jobs in the world, but your experience holds immense power. By participating in research, you can help create better treatments, services, and support systems for future generations.
Ready to share your story and earn compensation for your expertise?
- Sign Up: Visit RarePatientVoice.com to join the community.
- Connect on Social Media: Follow Rare Patient Voice on Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and X.com for inspirational stories, study opportunities, and live events.
- Connect with Wes: Find Wes Michael on LinkedIn.
Don't let your experience go unheard. Listen to the full episode and share it with a caregiver who needs to know their voice matters! ❤️
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