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Free event at the center in Kaka‘ako also marks the 1-year anniversary of Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community patient-empowerment program
Cancer patients/survivors/thrivers, caregivers, families and community members interested in learning how clinical trials are advancing cancer care in Hawaiʻi and worldwide, and how patients may benefit from participating, are invited to attend “How Clinical Trials Save Lives,” a free workshop on Saturday, April 18, 2026, presented by the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center.
“How Clinical Trials Save Lives”
Saturday, April 18, 2026
Sullivan Conference Center, UH Cancer Center
701 Ilalo Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
9-11 a.m. — Workshop
11 a.m.-12 p.m. — Light refreshments, and video preview of the groundbreaking new Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center
Free admission; in-person and Zoom options available for workshop
Register by April 15
The event also marks the one-year anniversary of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community patient-empowerment program, and honors the legacy of its late founder, center Hope Ambassador Susan Hirano, whose vision continues to shape a supportive and empowering space for those affected by cancer.
“Clinical trials are where research can turn into real hope for patients,” said Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, Director of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, who is also a cancer researcher, clinical oncologist, and a two-time cancer survivor himself. “Clinical trials give patients access to promising new therapies that are not yet widely available — sometimes offering options when standard treatments are no longer effective. These trials can extend lives, improve quality of life, and, in some cases, lead to breakthroughs that change the standard of care for future patients. Through this Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community event, we are helping people understand that participating in clinical trials is not only about advancing science — it is about giving patients and families new possibilities and new hope, right here in Hawaiʻi.”
Cancer clinical trials are studies in which people with the disease are given new treatments or new ways of using existing treatments. A trial may involve a certain drug, vaccine, type of surgery, or radiation, or a combination of treatments. Every clinical trial is different, so risks also differ. But the benefits of undergoing a clinical trial include early access to life-saving new treatments that may not be available to people outside the trial. The research team closely monitors the clinical-trial patient, adding an extra layer of care. The trial may help researchers learn more about cancer and help people in the future.
The UH Cancer Center administers nearly 90% of all cancer clinical trials in Hawaiʻi, in partnership with member organizations of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium. The UH Cancer Center’s groundbreaking new Ho‘ōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center will change cancer care in the islands: For the first time in history, Hawaiʻi patients will have the opportunity to participate in pioneering Phase I cancer clinical trials close to home.
At the April 18 event, attendees will:
Since launching last year, the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community has brought together hundreds of patients, caregivers, survivors, physicians, and researchers to share knowledge, build connections, and share support. Its quarterly events have drawn hundreds of people, and the program is only growing.
For Peter Hirano, Susan’s husband, the anniversary carries great meaning. “This past year has shown how Sue’s vision has resonated with the community and how thirsty the community was for a program like this,” Peter Hirano said. “Susan believed that no one facing cancer should feel alone or without hope. As we mark one year of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community — and also remember Susan’s passing one year ago — it’s incredibly meaningful to see her legacy continue to help patients and families across Hawaiʻi. This program is exactly what she hoped for: It provides a place where people can learn, connect, and find strength together. Seeing people come together, ask questions, and discover new possibilities through clinical trials is something Susan would have been deeply proud of.”
Learn more about the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community
Learn more about the UH Cancer Center
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About the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center
The University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center is dedicated to saving lives in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific, and inspiring hope by working to conquer cancer. The flagship priority is to understand and address cancer health disparities. The center strives to achieve this through research, education, patient care, and community outreach, focusing on the unique and diverse ethnic, cultural, and environmental characteristics of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.
The UH Cancer Center is one of only 74 institutions designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), representing a significant mark of excellence, and is the only NCI-designated cancer center in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific. The center contributes more than $57 million to Hawaiʻi's economy through scientific research, clinical trials, and other activities.
As part of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the UH Cancer Center operates out of facilities located in Kakaʻako. The center directly employs more than 300 faculty and staff, with an additional 200 affiliate members and cooperative agreements with organizations that are part of the Hawaiʻi Cancer Consortium. The consortium includes The Queen’s Health Systems, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Kuakini Medical Center, Adventist Health Castle, Hawaiʻi Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM), all working together with the UH Cancer Center to advance cancer research and treatment in the state.
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