May 2025
At the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, our purpose is driven by both compassion and discovery. As we mark over a year of service to our community, I’m incredibly proud of the progress we've made in expanding our research portfolio and improving patient outcomes.
Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our clinicians and researchers, we are making significant impacts in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. From first-in-the-nation clinical trials to breakthrough imaging and proton therapy technologies, our momentum is strong and growing. In the coming months, we will continue to build on our research infrastructure and collaborations. This includes deepening the capabilities of the OSF Breakthrough Treatment Center and exploring new frontiers in AI-driven diagnostics, early detection and translational research. Your support is not only appreciated, it’s essential. Together, we are turning hope into healing, and data into cures.
Thank you for believing in this purpose and in the power of research to transform lives.
When a baby is born at OSF HealthCare, a lullaby softly echoes through the halls — a gentle celebration of new life. Ringing the survivor bell marks the end of active treatment and the transition into recovery and survivorship, an emotional milestone in a patient’s cancer journey.
Dave Golwitzer, along with his wife Nancy, are strong supporters of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute. They approached OSF leaders last fall with a simple yet powerful idea: what if there were an audible chime to signal when a patient rings the survivor bell — a moment that marks the end of cancer treatment? Much like the lullaby for new life, this bell would symbolize a different kind of rebirth — survival.
The Golwitzer’s offered to fully fund the cost of purchase and installation and after six months of planning and behind-the-scenes installation work, the vision became reality. The newly installed “audible bell” system now softly announces this milestone throughout parts of the OSF Cancer Institute, allowing Mission Partners, patients, and visitors to pause, smile, and sometimes even cheer.
“It was everything I had envisioned when making the presentation… and more,” Golwitzer shared in a note following a small demonstration. “I was especially pleased with the comment that the audible bell actually elicited applause from some of the Mission Partners upon hearing it. I think their reaction is an emotional release of the tensions they subconsciously build up from the intense commitment to the serious nature of their patient care.”
What might seem like a small gesture has created a meaningful ripple. The sound not only lifts the spirits of Mission Partners and other patients — it affirms that hope, healing, and success are happening within those walls every day.
Always humble and never seeking the spotlight, Dave and Nancy Golwitzer simply wanted to enhance the healing environment at the OSF Cancer Institute in a unique, heartfelt way. His gift does just that — by turning a moment of personal victory into something quietly shared by all. We are grateful to the Golwitzer family for bringing this beautiful idea to life and for helping make every victory heard and shared.
The OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute is proud to introduce two outstanding additions to our medical team: Dr. Michelle Julien and Dr. Emily Albright. These physicians bring advanced surgical expertise, compassionate care and a deep commitment to innovation and patient well-being.
Dr. Julien is a board-certified colorectal surgeon with specialized training in minimally invasive techniques for colon and rectal cancers. Her extensive background in treating inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease and colorectal malignancies ensures that patients have access to leading-edge care close to home.
Dr. Albright joins us as the breast oncology surgeon and director of the breast program. With dual fellowship training in minimally invasive and breast surgical oncology, she brings a strong focus on multidisciplinary, personalized care. Her academic and clinical research contributions further enhance our growing breast cancer program.
Together, these physicians exemplify our passion to deliver excellent, personalized and research-driven cancer care.
On a beautiful spring morning along the Peoria riverfront, 637 participants came together for the 4th Annual Nun Run—an inspiring event blending faith, fun, and philanthropy to support the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute.
Led by OSF supporter Cathy Williams and joyfully backed by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, the event featured enthusiastic runners, cheering crowds, and the beloved tradition of Sisters walking in solidarity with patients and families. Thanks to generous sponsors, registrations, and donations, the Nun Run raised critical funds for cancer research, patient care, and support services like pastoral care and nutrition counseling.
Special thanks to Mouve Film for capturing the energy, and to our dedicated sponsors for making this event possible. Mark your calendars—the 5th Annual Nun Run/Walk is set for May 2, 2026!.
At the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute, research is not just a part of our work, it is the engine driving progress. With donor support, we’re advancing a research portfolio that includes clinical trials, early detection technologies and translational science.
We are actively participating in groundbreaking studies exploring self-administered screening methods, AI-based diagnostics, liquid biopsies, and new treatment combinations for complex cancers. Our collaboration with the University of Cincinnati includes efforts to enroll patients in research related to FLASH proton beam therapy — an innovation that delivers high-dose radiation in less time, potentially reducing side effects.
Collaborations with the University of Illinois, National Institutes of Health (NIH)-backed consortia and the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) Foundation allow us to bring national-level research directly to our patients here in Illinois.
Every clinical trial we open gives patients access to new hope. Every research initiative helps us understand cancer better and treat it smarter. And every donation helps accelerate this momentum.
"How much time will this take?" It's the most common question we hear when inviting a patient to join a research study. For someone battling cancer, time is sacred – it’s the currency of hope.
Every minute we save through faster diagnoses, personalized therapies or reduced side effects means more memories made, more milestones reached and more life lived. This is why your support is so critical.
Thanks to donor contributions, we are expanding the variety and accessibility of clinical trials available right here in Peoria. From leading-edge genetic testing to innovative treatment protocols, our research program is growing in both scale and impact.
Because of you, we are able to say "yes" more often, offering patients a promising new option when all else feels uncertain. Your generosity doesn’t just fund science. It fuels hope.
Thank you for helping us give patients the most precious gift: more time.
At the OSF Cancer Institute, we believe that healing happens in community. Our events are designed to support, empower and connect individuals at every stage of the cancer journey. Here are two standout events coming up this summer:
This fun, informative session dives into the health benefits of fruit,plus tips for preparing, storing and incorporating them into everyday meals. Participants leave with recipes and renewed excitement about eating well.
This supportive networking group is for those impacted by breast cancer. June’s session will focus on menopause and wellness, offering resources, peer connection and expert advice in a welcoming setting.
Healthcare Week reminded us of the extraordinary dedication our Mission Partners bring to their work each day—and the lasting impact they have on the lives of our patients and families.
Through the Grateful Patient Program, the gratitude continues. Patients and families can honor the caregivers who made a difference in their healing journey. Whether it’s a kind word, a note of thanks, or a gift made in someone’s honor, your appreciation fuels our Mission and uplifts those who serve. If a caregiver touched your life during a recent visit, we invite you to share your story or make a gift in their honor. Your gratitude has the power to heal.