By Haley Tenore

On March 2, the biology majors – Yatri Patel and Anusha Soni – represented a national organization at the U.S. Capitol to advocate for patients with pancreatitis, which is inflammation of an abdominal organ that supports digestion and regulates blood sugar. The opportunity through the Digestive Disease National Coalition normally would be reserved for more experienced students and researchers.

“We’re only undergraduate students. Typically, we don’t get an opportunity to speak at the Capitol,” said Patel, who will be a junior this fall. “But I’m glad they trusted us to handle something so important.”

Patel and Soni also hope to help pancreatic disease patients at home. They recently established the first Virginia-based chapter of the National Pancreas Foundation to support patients in the state, including those VCU Health is treating.

The trip to the U.S. Capitol came after Patel and Soni presented at the inaugural showcase of NURVA, the Network for Undergraduate Research in Virginia. It was held Feb. 6 at the General Assembly Building, where state lawmakers conduct much of their business during Virginia’s legislative session, and the pair were among three VCU projects highlighted – a reflection of how the school’s Every Ram’s a Researcher initiative is making transformative learning a hallmark of the undergraduate experience.

Patel and Soni’s research focused on a treatment for pancreatitis and its availability for underserved communities, and they went to Washington to promote legislation dealing with pancreatic diseases.

“Now is the time when the government’s determining the funding for so many different things, like different health policies, supporting different programs relating to chronic disease, supporting research funding,” said Soni, who will be a sophomore this fall. “We were lucky to be able to go and talk to congressmen and senators.”

Their advocacy included support for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act and the Medicare-X Choice Act.

“The Medicare-X Act is a lifeline for patients who are not eligible for Medicare to have a government-funded health insurance plan. This would help make health care more accessible, and would undoubtedly save lives,” Patel said.

They also asked lawmakers for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health and the federal Chronic Disease Education and Awareness Program, which encourages doctors to listen to patients with empathy and open-mindedness.

“As aspiring physicians, we think it's so important for doctors to listen to their patients and their concerns. This is also a huge concern from our pancreatic patient population as well,” Soni said.

In addition to speaking with numerous members of Congress, Soni and Patel had a chance to connect directly with Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and Rep. Jennifer McClellan, who applauded their research and advocacy.

Soni noted that diseases like pancreatitis are often overlooked, as they are not as common or profitable for researchers to explore.

“We just need to continue doing the research that we’re doing and not fall back, because that could be dangerous for people with chronic or rare diseases,” Soni said. “So, we’re hoping that acts that support research can pass, and hopefully, our contribution is effective in swaying the minds of uncertain congresspeople and senators.”

In Virginia, Soni and Patel have high hopes for the new National Pancreas Foundation state chapter. They are collaborating with VCU Health to support patients with pancreatic diseases, including delivering care packages to TPIAT patients – total pancreatic islet auto transplantation – a treatment that can reduce the pain and side effects of pancreatitis.

“We’re grateful for how supportive the physicians are at VCU Health,” Patel said. “We’ve spoken to the oncology team to work with pancreatic cancer patients. They’re all amazing. They’re open to collaborating with us and supporting their patients, which I think is important because your physician is your No. 1 supporter through the progression of your disease.”