Video guide
Quick setup (60 seconds)
Use your phone vertically (9:16).
Stand near a window; avoid backlighting.
Quiet space; turn off fans/TV.
Frame: chest-up, eyes level with the camera.
Aim for 30-60 seconds total.
Beat-by-beat script (fill the blanks)
Think about your story and what you want to say. Consider these questions to start:
How did medical research help with your diagnosis or treatment?
How might this be impacted with funding cuts to medical research?
What part of your personal story do you feel comfortable sharing?
Beat 1 — Who you are (2–3s)
“Hi, I’m [Name], a [patient in treatment / X-year survivor / caregiver / trial participant] from [city/state].”
Beat 2 — Tagline (1–2s)
“I am living proof that medical research saves lives / is hope.”
Beat 3 — Your cancer context (4–6s)
“In [year], I was diagnosed with [cancer type] / I’m in treatment today / I finished treatment [X] months/years ago.”
Beat 4 — What research did for you (5–8s)
“Because of [clinical trial / targeted therapy / immunotherapy / genetic testing / early screening], I [got options / am here with my family / found the right treatment].”
Beat 5 — Why medicine is in a hard place (5–8s)
“Right now, medical research is under pressure from [proposed funding cuts / misinformation / politicization / trial barriers / burnout] — and that slows lifesaving progress.”
Beat 6 — What’s at stake + your ask (4–6s)
“We can’t go backward. Please [protect research / fund trials / trust evidence / support scientists and clinicians].”
Model Templates
15 seconds (Reels/TikTok/X):
“Hi, I’m [Name], a [X-year survivor/patient] from [place]. I am living proof that medical research saves lives. [Trial/therapy/screening] gave me a chance to beat [cancer type]. But research is threatened by [misinformation/funding cuts/etc.]. Don’t slow science when lives are on the line.”
30 seconds:
“I’m [Name], [role]. In [year], I was diagnosed with [cancer type]. I am living proof that medical research saves lives. Thanks to [research-driven option], I [got more time / saw my kid graduate / kept working]. Today, medicine is in a tough spot — [funding cuts/misinformation/trial hurdles/burnout] make it harder to keep making breakthroughs. Please [fund and protect research / support clinical trials / stand up for evidence-based care]. ”
45 seconds (for YouTube/FB):
“Hi, I’m [Name], a [patient/survivor/caregiver] in [place]. [Brief diagnosis line]. I am living proof that medical research saves lives. My doctors used [immunotherapy/targeted drug/clinical trial/genetic test] developed through years of research — that’s why I’m here. But right now, medicine is strained: [pick 1–2: shrinking budgets, disinformation, politicization, staffing burnout, barriers to trial enrollment]. When research slows, patients lose options. Please [specific call to action].”
Role-specific prompts
(choose one line to personalize)
Patient in treatment: “Research isn’t abstract to me — it’s my next option.”
Survivor: “Research turned a statistic into a second chance.”
Caregiver: “Research gave my person more time — others deserve that shot.”
Trial participant: “I joined a clinical trial so the next patient has more choices.”
Clinician/researcher-survivor: “I treat patients and I’ve been one — we need science protected on both sides.”
On-camera tips (do / don’t)
Do: speak like you would to a friend.
Don’t: share private medical advice, endorse specific brands, attack specific political figures, or make promises about outcomes.
Pace: smile if it fits; pause a beat before “I am living proof.”
Optional closer lines
(pick one, then add the tagline)
“Save research, save lives.”
“Protect research. Protect patients.”
“Science saved me. Don’t slow it down.”
“Facts over fear. Care over chaos.”
“Fund trials. Fight misinformation.”
Accessibility + delivery
Record where you’re comfortable; any language is welcome.
Add captions if you can
Use the hashtags #SaveResearchSaveLives and #WeAreLivingProof so we can find your stories.
Use these handles when you post:
Instagram: @saveresearchsavelives
Facebook: @SaveResearchSaveLives
Bluesky: saveresearch.bsky.social
Set your posting for public access and share. Send us information about where you posted your video via the intake form on the website. We may reach back out to you!
Four polished examples
Example A (survivor, 18s):
“Hi, I’m Maya, a 3-year breast cancer survivor from Baltimore. I am living proof that medical research saves lives. A clinical trial matched me to the therapy that worked. Research is being slowed by misinformation and burnout — and that costs time patients don’t have.”
Example B (patient, 28s):
“I’m Luis, in treatment for lymphoma. I am living proof that medical research saves lives. Genetic testing — a product of research — guided my care. But medicine is in a tough place: funding cuts and trial barriers make it harder to find what works. Please stand up for evidence-based care and the people who provide it.”
Example C (caregiver, 24s):
“I’m Tasha, caregiver to my husband, a colon cancer survivor. We live in Texas. We are living proof that medical research saves lives. Research gave us more birthdays together. When we underfund science or let disinformation win, families like mine lose options. Please protect medical research.”
Example D (parent, 20s):
“I’m Sarah, and my son who just turned 8 is in treatment right now for pediatric glioma in Florida. We are living proof that medical research is hope. We need more clinical trials to provide better treatment options for my son to make sure he gets to many more birthdays. Saving research saves lives.”