The Low German Mennonite (LGM) community originally migrated from Europe to Canada and now also has communities in Mexico and South America. Because of cultural isolation and practices of endogamy, there is known prevalence of specific genetic diseases in this population. One such disease is CD3δ severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) caused by a founder C202T variant. Infants present with a complete lack of T cells and nonfunctional B cells, leading to early mortality if not treated with allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. Our research team is developing a gene editing clinical trial for CD3δ SCID. We have established an LGM Patient Engagement Council (PEC) to inform the design, development, and implementation of this trial to ensure results are more accessible and appropriate to the LGM community it aims to benefit.
After consulting with the Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit (AbSPORU) Patient Engagement Team, we connected with multiple groups working with the LGM and members of the community regarding participation in the PEC.
The LGM PEC is a 12-member group comprised of community members, midwifery students, community health representatives/translators, and researchers. Terms of Reference were co-developed, online meetings are held once a month with additional opportunities for joining specific research training and working group opportunities, a presentation about LGM culture was shared through a teaching hospital, and focus groups in LGM language were held around Alberta. Compensation is offered to PEC members contributing lived experience.
The LGM PEC was successful in translating knowledge to the LGM community regarding research and consenting processes, creating trusting relationships, breaking down language barriers, and fostering mutual understanding. Future plans include the co-development of videos and podcasts in Low German to help further socialize health research engagement as well as co-development of an informed consent video for the upcoming CD3δ SCID gene therapy trial.
