Caidya recognizes Dustin Hawley’s volunteer contribution to The Swallows Head d & Neck Cancer Charity and the importance of patient and caregiver perspectives in oncology research & development.
Clinical research is shaped by more than scientific objectives and clinical endpoints. For patients living with cancer, the experience of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery can affect many aspects of daily life. Caregivers also play a significant role, often navigating practical and emotional challenges alongside their loved ones.
Understanding these experiences is an important part of developing clinical research that reflects patients’ needs and priorities.
Ahead of the 11th International Head & Neck Cancer Conference, taking place November 3–4, 2026, in Blackpool, UK, we are highlighting the work of The Swallows and the recent volunteer contribution of Dustin Hawley.[RB1]
Supporting the work of The Swallows
Founded in 2012 by head and neck cancer survivor Chris Curtis, The Swallows was established in response to the gaps in emotional and practical support Chris experienced during his own treatment and recovery. Alongside his wife, Sharon, a dedicated caregiver advocate, Chris has developed the charity into a world leading international support organization for people affected by head and neck cancer.
Dustin’s, passion for oncology and rare and orphan diseases comes from a deeply personal place. He lost his nephew to diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a rare, aggressive form of childhood brain cancer that develops in the brain stem. Before entering this industry, he was an uncle navigating his nephew’s diagnosis, experiencing the uncertainty and heartache that cancer brings. That experience was a driving reason behind his decision to enter the clinical research industry nearly eight years ago. Patients and their families remain his “why,” and his nephew’s memory continues to fuel his desire to help others.
That sense of purpose has guided Dustin in building and strengthening partnerships with patient advocacy organizations around the world, including The Swallows. For him, ensuring patients and caregivers feel heard and understood is personal. He believes their experiences, concerns, and hopes should help shape clinical trial protocols and the decisions that affect their lives. Having known Chris and Sharon for nearly four years, he has developed a deep appreciation for the compassion behind their work. Giving his time and skills to The Swallows is one way he turns that personal commitment into practical support for families facing some of their most difficult moments.
Over the past year, Dustin volunteered his technical expertise to help the organization strengthen its operational infrastructure. Drawing on his experience as a certified Salesforce Administrator and Developer, he developed a dedicated Salesforce-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform for the charity.
Working primarily during evenings and weekends, Dustin completed the platform presented it to Chris and Sharon as a surprise. The system is intended to support the charity’s ongoing work and future growth.
Chris Curtis, CEO of the Swallows noted,
“When we started this journey, our ambition was simple: to improve our CRM system and move away from the countless Excel spreadsheets that were holding us back. We lacked the technical knowledge and resources to make it happen.
Then we met Dustin.
We explained our challenges, and his response was simply, ‘Leave it with me!’
I remember thinking it sounded too good to be true and surely beyond our charity’s budget.
How wrong I was!
After months of meetings, dedication and hard work, Dustin has delivered something far beyond our wildest expectations.
What began as a simple request has become a game-changing transformation for our charity, changing how we operate and allowing us to focus more time on what really matters – supporting head and neck cancer patients and their families.
Dustin hasn’t just built us a system; he’s helped build a stronger future for The Swallows. For that, we cannot thank him enough.”
His contribution illustrates how skills developed in a professional setting can also be applied to support organizations working directly with patients and caregivers.
Bringing patient and caregiver perspectives into clinical development
The upcoming conference will bring together patients and caregivers, clinicians, researchers, sponsors, charities, and industry representatives to discuss quality of life throughout diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
For the clinical research community, this focus highlights an important consideration: patient and caregiver perspectives can provide valuable context for clinical development decisions.
In head and neck cancer, treatment may affect speech, swallowing, nutrition, social interaction, and emotional well-being. Caregivers may also experience considerable practical and emotional demands. These factors can influence how patients navigate treatment and participate in clinical trials.
Engaging patients and caregivers early can help research teams better understand these realities and consider them during study planning. Depending on the study, this may include evaluating relevant quality-of-life measures, considering the burden of trial visits, and identifying practical barriers to participation.
For CROs working in oncology and rare and orphan diseases, collaboration with patient advocacy organizations provides valuable opportunities to understand lived experiences and identify needs that may not be fully captured by clinical data alone.
A broader perspective on patient-centric research
Our work in oncology and rare and orphan diseases reinforces the importance of considering the people behind the research. Scientific rigor remains fundamental, but understanding patient and caregiver experiences can help provide a more complete perspective on the impact of disease and treatment.
Dustin’s volunteer work with The Swallows is one example of how individual contributions can support patient advocacy beyond the clinical trial setting.
As the oncology community gathers in Blackpool this November, the conference provides an opportunity to continue the conversation about quality of life, survivorship, and the role of patients and caregivers in shaping cancer care and research.
Patient-centric research starts with understanding patients’ experiences and considering how those insights can inform clinical development.
Learn more about The Swallows and its work supporting people affected by head and neck cancer.
The 11th International Head & Neck Cancer Conference takes place November 3–4, 2026, in Blackpool, UK.