Demonstrating our Commitment to the Communities We Serve
At Caidya, our commitment to patient-focused research doesn’t stop at the clinical trial site – it extends into the communities we serve. That’s why we offer paid volunteer time for our team members to take time off to support charitable or community-focused organizations.
Natalie Negron, Project Manager at Caidya, recently used this employee benefit to volunteer with and participate in Lauren’s Run & Picnic, a community event supporting pediatric cancer research and the families impacted by cancer. She shared her experience and motivation, and how events like this bring personal meaning to our professional mission.
Bridging Personal Passion and Professional Purpose
Natalie joined Caidya in September 2024 to lead cross-functional teams and execute clinical trials from start-up to closeout. For her, project management isn’t just about timelines and metrics – it’s about impact.
“What I find most rewarding is how my work directly contributes to bringing innovative therapies to patients who need them,” she said.
That deep sense of purpose led her to volunteer with and participate in Lauren’s Run & Picnic this year. The event – organized by CURE Childhood Cancer – raises funds for pediatric cancer research while giving children and families a joyful, supportive experience.
Volunteering with Heart
Natalie discovered the event through her connection with the CURE Childhood Cancer volunteer community and was immediately drawn to the mission.
“I’ve always been passionate about volunteering with children. This event created a meaningful bridge between my clinical research background and personal commitment to helping young patients.”
As both a volunteer and a runner, she experienced the event from multiple angles, from handing out donuts to children in the morning to running alongside families and supporters in the afternoon.
Creating Moments that Matter
As Natalie passed out donuts, she was approached by a child who asked her why donuts were given away for free.
“I told him that we wanted to make him feel special and remind him he’s not alone – that a whole community is here for him,” she recalled. “That small moment captured the entire spirit of the day.”
Natalie was also touched by the memorial signs along the route honoring children lost to cancer. She felt that those reminders brought clarity to the importance of her work and deepened her commitment to making a difference.
Aligning with Caidya’s Mission
For Natalie, the event wasn’t just personally meaningful – it also reflected the values that define her work at Caidya.
“This experience embodies Caidya’s value of Radiating Passion. As project managers, our work can sometimes feel removed from the patients we ultimately serve. Events like this bring that connection front and center.”
She shared her experience with her Director, Nicole Pusey, who offered encouragement and continues to support team members in extending their impact beyond their daily responsibilities.
Strengthening our Culture and Inspiring Colleagues
Natalie hopes her story will inspire other Caidya colleagues to participate in Lauren’s Run & Picnic next year. She also believes collective participation will further strengthen Caidya’s culture.
“This event gives us a tangible connection to why our work matters,” she said, “Meeting survivors and families puts faces to the concept of ‘patients’ and reminds us of the power of what we do at Caidya.”
Thank you, Natalie, for representing Caidya with passion and purpose. Together, we are moving clinical research forward, one step, one run, and one act of kindness at a time.