Considering a Clinical Trial for a Child: A Caregiver's View

When a child is facing a serious illness, being asked to consider a clinical trial can feel overwhelming. This episode of Caregivers SHARE continues our 2-part series on clinical trials by focusing on the real questions, emotions, and decisions caregivers face. Carina Richardson shares her family’s experience enrolling her son in a clinical trial. Seth Karol, MD, shares insights from a doctor’s perspective, on how he would approach a clinical trial as a caregiver. Clay Culp, LCSW, guides the conversation with thoughtful questions and key points. Together, they talk about how clinical trials may differ from standard treatment, what the consent process looks like, and why clear, ongoing communication is essential. This episode explores: How clinical trials can change over time and differ for each childWhat worries caregivers often have and how care teams can helpHow child life specialists and other support services can help familiesWhy asking questions and speaking up matters This episode offers reassurance, perspective, and empowerment for caregivers making decisions about their child’s care. A special thank you to Clay Culp, social work manager at St. Jude; Seth Karol, MD, associate faculty member at St. Jude who specializes in leukemia and lymphoma; and parent Carina Richardson.  This episode was recorded on March 5, 2026. For more background, listen to the previous episode: “What Is a Clinical Trial?” Learn more about Carina’s son Nolan’s diagnosis of medulloblastoma on Together by St. Jude™ and St. Jude Care & Treatment.   Learn more about clinical trials on Together by St. Jude™ and St. Jude Care & Treatment.   The quote that Carina and Clay reference is, “The best laid schemes of mice and men go oft awry, and leave us nothing but grief and pain for promised joy,” written by poet Robert Burns in his poem “To a Mouse” in 1785.  This discussion is meant to provide a general overview. Information may vary depending on your child’s diagnosis, age, health history, and the type of clinical trial. Always talk with your child’s care team for details specific to your child.  St. Jude does not endorse any branded product or organization mentioned in this podcast.