Emergency contact card given to a patient on the first UK trial of the drug Glivec (imatinib) for treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), issued by Hammersmith Hospital, 2001

Yellow emergency contact card given to Doreen Eggleton to keep on her in case of a medical emergency, when on the first UK clinical trial (Novartis STI 571 0113) of the targeted drug Glivec (Imatinib) for the treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), a blood cancer, issued by Hammersmith Hospital in 2001, donated in 2023.

This emergency contact card was given to patient Doreen Eggleton in 2001, as she received a new treatment as part of a clinical trial for Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia (CML), a blood cancer. Clinical trials generate evidence about the safety and how well new treatments may work in comparison to exisiting therapies. A new targeted therapy to treat CML had recently been developed and trialled in the United States, called by the brand name Glivec (Imatinib). Prior to this few effective treatment options were available for this disease. Doreen consented to participate in the first UK clinical trial of Glivec (Novartis STI 571 0113) run by Hammersmith Hospital. Participating in a clinical trial to test new therapies can come with risks such as side effects, so these bright yellow cards were given to patients to carry with them at all times in case of a medical emergency providing the contact details for the medical team running the trial. Glivic became a major breakthrough in the treatment of CML, and saved Doreen's life.