City of Hope, a California-based national cancer research and treatment organization, has announced a $10 million gift from the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation to expand access to evidence-based supportive care medicine and advocacy efforts.

According to City of Hope, despite proven benefits, supportive care programs are not widely available at U.S. cancer centers and hospitals. The gift will support City of Hope’s efforts to train providers in delivering supportive care, drive research to inform care guidelines, and develop digital, scalable tools that can be adapted by other healthcare providers. In addition, City of Hope will help expand supportive care by convening and educating stakeholders on the importance of establishing supportive care programs as a standard practice for cancer and other life-threatening conditions. 

The Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation previously supported the creation of the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resource Center at City of Hope’s Los Angeles campus.

“Our shared belief at the Sheri and Les Biller Family Foundation and at City of Hope is that supportive care should be an essential part of cancer care for every patient and family. Having lost two close friends—women I referred to as sisters—to breast cancer, I’ve seen firsthand the immense toll that cancer takes on patients and their loved ones, and I have come to understand the relief that truly integrated and meaningful supportive care can provide,” said Sheri Biller, president of the family foundation. “Our aim is to leverage the power of our partnership with City of Hope to propel and advance supportive care medicine in oncology for all cancer patients. With scalable care models and training, this gift will amplify over time, expanding access to the best supportive care programs to cancer patients who have otherwise often faced racial, gender, age, economic, and geographical barriers.”

(Photo credit: City of Hope)