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At 75, Roger Nuhn of Glasford is a relative newlywed. When he and Bonnie married five years ago, he joined a close-knit family that all rallied around him when he started treatment for chronic lymphocytic leukemia in the winter of 2014. Presented with the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial, Roger decided, “What have I got to lose?” The answer: Nothing. He’s not only responding well to treatment—which he’s not sure he could have afforded on his own—but he’s also recovered the energy to do the things he loves. “I wouldn’t have been able to do anything without this treatment. Now, I feel like doing stuff again.” Continue Reading

Roger Nuhn

When Calvin Pettitt found himself out of breath after climbing the stairs, he bought some workout clothes and shoes, and then started walking. The weight started dropping fast—too fast. It was kidney cancer. “My grandfather and my mom both died of cancer. I thought it was a death sentence.” With God, his extended family and the team at Illinois CancerCare by his side, Calvin proved it’s not. He had his kidney removed, joined a clinical trial and now feels good enough to start taking laps around the track once more. Continue Reading

Calvin Pettitt

Patient Support & Assistance

Patient Support and Assistance comes in many forms through the Foundation:

Genetics – The Foundation supports genetic screening programs to identify hereditary cancers, with special emphasis on families at risk for hereditary colorectal and breast cancer. These pilot projects are geared to serve as the gateway for additional genetic screening opportunities, such as 1) screening all uterine cancers, since 50% of women with hereditary colorectal cancer will have uterine cancer if they are not detected; 2) screening breast cancer patients with a strong family history but negative for BRCA1/2; and 3) screening thyroid cancers. Bottom line – the best care we can provide is through prevention.

Additionally, we support studies that offer targeted oral therapies to patients whose tumors have “driver mutations” found through molecular sequencing. Thanks to generous contributions to the Illinois CancerCare Foundation, eligible patients can receive financial assistance for their tumor sequencing when needed. These programs empower families to understand their risks, provide relief from uncertainty, and make informed decisions about their health care.

Targeted Therapies – Thanks to generous contributions to the Illinois CancerCare Foundation, eligible patients can receive financial assistance for their tumor sequencing. The Foundation supports studies that offer targeted oral therapies to patients whose tumors have “driver mutations” found through molecular sequencing. These studies allow patients to have treatments personalized for their specific cancer.

Programs – The Foundation supports genetic screening programs to identify hereditary cancers, with emphasis on central and western Illinois families at risk for hereditary colorectal and breast cancer. Additionally, we support studies that offer targeted therapies to patients who tumors have “driver mutations” found through molecular sequencing. Thanks to generous contributors to the Illinois CancerCare Foundation, eligible patients can receive financial assistance for their tumor sequencing when needed. New this year, the Foundation is also funding a pancreatic screening program to look for genetic mutations that may help us identify family members at high risk for developing pancreatic cancer. This program is available for all Illinois CancerCare pancreatic cancer patients. These programs empower families to understand their risks, provide relief from uncertainty, and make informed decisions about their health care.