As Illinois faces higher cancer mortality rates for most cancer types, the City of Hope-spearheaded resolution represents a step towards ensuring equitable access to care for all

This month, the Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed the Illinois Cancer Patients Bill of Rights, a resolution and call-to-action which states that all Illinois residents with cancer diagnoses should be able to access new and emerging treatments, receive care at advanced care centers, and be supported throughout their entire care journey – regardless of their means or background. The resolution was championed by City of Hope, one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States, with its National Medical Center in Los Angeles ranked among the nation’s top 5 cancer centers by U.S. News & World Report and with a leading cancer center in Zion, Ill.

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(From left to right) Rep. Marcus Evans, City of Hope Chicago President Pete Govorchin, cancer survivor Valerie Traynham, and Rep. Rita Mayfield rally support for the Illinois Cancer Patients Bill of Rights at the State Capitol. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Illinois Cancer Patients Bill of Rights was also spearheaded by State Rep. Marcus Evans and Cancer Care is Different, a coalition of like-minded organizations founded by City of Hope that is committed to advocating for better cancer care in Illinois. The coalition includes the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in Illinois, Susan G. Komen of Greater Chicago, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Illinois, American Lung Association in Illinois, National Ovarian Cancer Coalition, Cancer Wellness Center, NMDP and Gilda’s Club Chicago, an affiliate of Cancer Support Community.

“The speed of cancer discovery is helping save millions of lives, but it’s also leaving many people behind. The Illinois Cancer Patients Bill of Rights is a significant step forward in ensuring that patients can access leading-edge research, treatments and expertise at advanced cancer centers,” said Pete Govorchin, president of City of Hope Chicago. “As one of the top cancer institutions in the country, City of Hope's goal is to bring the most advanced cancer care to more people. We are excited to work with health stakeholders across the state to bring the resolution to life and bridge the gap between cancer innovation and access.”

“Every Illinoisan with cancer should have the best chance to survive,” said Rep. Evans. “As a cancer survivor myself, I understand firsthand the difference that access to quality care and innovative treatments can have for cancer patients. The Cancer Patients Bill of Rights calls for all cancer patients in Illinois to have access to the care and compassion to help them survive long after a cancer diagnosis.”

Although remarkable advances in cancer science are creating more effective treatments and better outcomes for patients affected by cancer, alarmingly high mortality rates in the state, which outpace the national average in nearly every major cancer type¹, demonstrate significant disparities in access—often due to a patient’s means, where they live, or barriers in our health care system.

The Cancer Patients Bill of Rights calls for the following rights for all Illinoisans when confronted with a cancer diagnosis:

• Cancer patients with complex cancers deserve access to specialized expertise and emerging treatments for their specific type of cancer, including precision medicine and genomic therapies, which are only available at advanced cancer centers;
• Cancer patients deserve multidisciplinary supportive care while undergoing treatment, including care that addresses pain, emotional, and overall health needs;
• Cancer patients should have the opportunity to access emerging therapies informed by the latest cancer research through relevant early-stage and late-stage clinical trials, which are often only available at cancer treatment institutions;
• To the extent possible, cancer patients should be able to receive timely cancer care in their community, which is often supported by partnerships between community providers and academic institutions;
• Cancer patients have a right to fully understand their diagnoses and be informed about treatment options in culturally appropriate and understandable languages.

“Early diagnosis, effective treatment and advanced subspecialty care are essential if there is to be any progress made in turning these statistics around,” said Ally Lopshire, government relations manager, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. “The Illinois Cancer Patients Bill of Rights marks a crucial first step toward achieving more equitable and effective cancer care for all Illinois residents. I am eager to work alongside City of Hope, my fellow Cancer Care is Different coalition members and cancer patients throughout the state to expand access to cancer care for those who need it most.”

City of Hope has become one of the largest and most advanced institutions for cancer research and treatment. The organization combines groundbreaking biomedical research with a national network of advanced cancer centers, and has several locations in the Chicago area. As a nonprofit organization, City of Hope also has a deep commitment to growing access to life-saving cancer care and emerging treatments, which has inspired advocacy efforts across the country. The introduction of the bill in Illinois builds upon City of Hope's policy efforts in California, where the California Cancer Patients Bill of Rights and the Cancer Care Equity Act were successfully passed in 2021 and 2022. Additionally, a congressional resolution was introduced in 2024 to recognize the rights of cancer patients everywhere.

More about the resolution, along with other resources and patient stories, can be found at the Cancer Care Is Different website. Visit www.cancercarediff.org/illinois/.

About City of Hope

City of Hope's mission is to make hope a reality for all touched by cancer and diabetes. Founded in 1913, City of Hope has grown into one of the largest and most advanced cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., and one of the leading research centers for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses. City of Hope research has been the basis for numerous breakthrough cancer medicines, as well as human synthetic insulin and monoclonal antibodies. With an independent, National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center that is ranked top 5 in the nation for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report at its core, City of Hope’s uniquely integrated model spans cancer care, research and development, academics and training, and a broad philanthropy program that powers its work. City of Hope’s growing national system includes its Los Angeles campus, a network of clinical care locations across Southern California, a new cancer center in Orange County, California, and cancer treatment centers and outpatient facilities in the Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix areas. City of Hope’s affiliated group of organizations includes Translational Genomics Research Institute and AccessHope^TM. For more information about City of Hope, follow us on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Cancer Care Is Different

The Cancer Care is Different coalition was founded by City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the country, and a group of like-minded health and advocacy organizations focused on expanding equitable access to cancer care. The coalition has advocated for policies that remove barriers to life-saving cancer care. Its advocacy reflects the fact that Cancer Care is Different than other types of health care, because of the speed of discovery and cancer research, and the importance of early detection and optimal treatment for surviving cancer.

References

¹ American Cancer Society, Cancer Statistics Center - American Cancer Society. Accessed October 2024.

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