Sentara marks establishment of Luke Hillier Cancer Research Alliance

Sentara Healthcare is celebrating the opening of the Luke Hillier Cancer Research Alliance. Luke Hillier is a Virginia Beach native and chair of the board of ADS, Inc., a military and tactical equipment supplier.

 A $3M gift from the Hillier Ignite Foundation helped establish the Luke Hillier Cancer Research Alliance; a partnership among the Sentara Health Research Center, the Sentara Brock Cancer Center, the Sentara Foundation, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and Virginia Oncology Associates.

 The gift will help advance oncology research through collaboration. Patients in Hampton Roads will have access to the latest in clinical trials with a focus on health equity and outcomes.

The Sentara Brock Cancer Center held a ribbon cutting ceremony on Nov. 1 to honor the Hillier family and the members of the Alliance. Adam Casagrande, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of ADS, Inc., described how cancer has affected his life and the Hillier family, spurring Mr. Hillier’s decision to invest in the Cancer Alliance. 

Research is fundamental to improving outcomes by finding new and better ways to treat cancer. Every new treatment began as a research study. This Cancer Alliance will provide expanded access to early phase clinical trials, translational research and biospecimen banking.

For information on how to apply for funds to the Luke Hillier Cancer Research Alliance, email research@sentara.com.