Mayo Clinic to Expand Access to State-of-the-Art Cancer Care Through Transformational Gift

Mayo Clinic will enhance and expand access to cancer care and clinical trials for patients and communities, thanks to a generous philanthropic commitment from Stephen M. and Barbara J. Slaggie of Marco Island, Florida, and Winona, Minnesota.

The Slaggies' $50 million investment accelerates Mayo Clinic's Bold. Forward. strategy to Cure, Connect and Transform healthcare by supporting Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in revolutionizing the delivery of cancer care. Mayo Clinic is leading this shift by developing the optimal blend of in-facility, digital and home-based care to reach more patients beyond traditional care delivery methods.

Already, through the creation of innovative programs, including Cancer Care Beyond Walls and Clinical Trials Beyond Walls — in collaboration with partners in Mayo Clinic's practice and research endeavors — Mayo Clinic is delivering chemotherapy and clinical trials to patients in their homes and community environments.

"Through our platform-based strategies, Mayo Clinic is enabling the delivery of cancer care and clinical trials broadly to patients and communities across the United States and around the world, overcoming geographic barriers to assure access to quality cancer care and clinical trials to patients anywhere, at any time," says Cheryl Willman, M.D., the Stephen and Barbara Slaggie Executive Director, Mayo Clinic Cancer Programs, and director, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Mayo Clinic is the only National Cancer Institute-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with three integrated geographic sites — in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota — achieving national and international recognition for the delivery of advanced and complex cancer care. For over five decades, Mayo Clinic has made important contributions as a leading cancer center because of a focus on patient-centered care, multidisciplinary team science, and translation of cutting-edge research from the bench to the bedside and into communities.

The Slaggies' support for enhanced access to Mayo Clinic knowledge and expertise, cancer care delivery, cancer clinical trials, and community outreach and engagement will enable more patients to access Mayo Clinic's innovative and expert care, no matter where they live. Key activities advanced through this gift include enhancing platform and digital tools to deliver cancer care and trials anywhere, developing community partnerships, and recruiting patient navigators and clinical staff to expand Mayo Clinic's Cancer Care Beyond Walls and Clinical Trials Beyond Walls programs to Mayo Clinic partners.

Making care more accessible inspired the Slaggies.

"Being a cancer survivor, I know firsthand the anxiety of seeking prompt, exceptional care," Stephen Slaggie says. "We're honored to help people with cancer by providing treatment in their home without the time, expense and travel involved in accessing a clinic or hospital."

For example, through its Cancer Care Beyond Walls program, Mayo Clinic has successfully delivered more than 140 chemotherapy infusions in patients' homes and has opened three national clinical trials testing the safety, efficacy and patient satisfaction of this approach.

"Think of what this means for patients who are going through a cancer diagnosis," Dr. Willman says. "Access to cutting-edge therapies from the most trusted name in healthcare, all in the healing environment of your home."

Areas benefiting from the Slaggies' gift include:

Cancer Care Delivery/Cancer Care Beyond Walls

Mayo Clinic is transforming cancer care delivery by blending virtual, in-facility and at-home treatments to meet our patients where they are. By expanding these innovative programs, Mayo Clinic will enhance the patient and family experience and ensure Mayo's high-quality science and care reach all communities.

Mayo Clinic is also extending the Cancer Care Beyond Walls program, which began in Florida, to Mayo Clinic Health System, a community-based rural healthcare delivery system serving 49 communities across Minnesota and Wisconsin; Mayo Clinic in Arizona; partners in the Mayo Clinic Care Network; and, ultimately, healthcare systems around the nation and globe. Cancer Care Beyond Walls is using virtual and digital platforms and allied health teams to deliver cancer treatment, cancer chemotherapy and cancer clinical trials in the home environment, reducing the financial and emotional burden for patients with cancer who may otherwise have to travel long distances for care.

Cancer Clinical Trials/Clinical Trials Beyond Walls

Each year, Mayo Clinic conducts thousands of clinical trials that are pioneering possible cures, yet there remain significant societal, geographic and logistical barriers that prevent some patients from accessing those options. The ability to decentralize clinical trials assures access for patients and communities by overcoming these barriers.

Mayo Clinic is addressing these systemic issues by using new digital tools — developed by its Center for Digital Health, Mayo Clinic Platform and Mayo's research enterprise — to connect more people to clinical trials, testing new means to screen, and prevent and treat cancer and other diseases. In its Clinical Trials Beyond Walls program, Mayo Clinic's research teams and Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center have opened nine decentralized clinical trials in community settings and patients' homes.

Community Outreach and Engagement Programs

A significant driver of health disparities and poorer health outcomes in minority and underrepresented groups is the lack of access to care and engagement of underserved populations in clinical trials. In 2022, Mayo Clinic launched the Mayo Clinic Community Research Registry, which partners with faith-based organizations, fraternities, sororities, American Legion posts and others to educate communities about clinical trials and match interested individuals to trials at Mayo Clinic. More than 900 diverse community participants are currently enrolled in the registry.

Mayo Clinic is also seeking to create financial pathways and partnerships that will increase clinical access for patients within its communities. These initiatives will establish patient finance consulting and concierge services at each Mayo Clinic site to help patients navigate medical costs. Mayo Clinic also will look to support additional patient populations through expanded payer contracts.