June 8, 2026
The Illumina Corporate Foundation has awarded its first Improving Patient Access to Cancer Testing (IMPACT) grants, totaling nearly $200,000, to eight US organizations. The awardees are working to reduce barriers to genomic testing, raise awareness, and support patients and families in cancer care decision-making.
The program, developed in partnership with Illumina’s Patient Advocacy team, reflects Illumina’s broader mission to unlock the power of the genome while ensuring technological advances reach the patients who need them most–advancing the company's focus on expanding equitable access to genomics. Genomic testing is reshaping how cancer is diagnosed, monitored, and treated, helping to guide more personalized care and improve outcomes. Yet access to these advances remains inconsistent across states and communities.
Addressing these gaps requires not only scientific innovation, but also trusted community partners and patient-centered approaches, a key focus of Illumina’s patient advocacy work.
In 2025, Illumina convened patient advocacy leaders through its Genomics in Oncology Leaders (GOAL) Summit to explore how to expand awareness and access to genomics in cancer care. The new IMPACT grant program builds on that momentum. Through the grant program, Illumina supports organizations across the United States that are leading programs focused on education, patient navigation, and expanding access to genomic testing across different cancer types and communities. “Illumina has helped lead the advancement of genomic technologies in cancer care, but expanding access requires more than innovation alone,” says Illumina Patient Advocacy Specialist, Cody Barnett. “Partnering with patient advocacy organizations is critical to ensuring patients have access to clear, accessible information to support informed decisions, while also driving the broader system-level changes needed to build more sustainable and equitable access.”
Community-driven solutions in action
The 2026 IMPACT grant recipients address different gaps in access to genomic testing, from community-based education and patient navigation to clinical engagement and research. The grants have been awarded to:
· ConnectMyVariant (Seattle, WA) is expanding outreach to improve uptake of hereditary cancer testing by helping families communicate genetic risk and access testing, particularly in underserved communities.
· Touch4Life (Clarksville, MD) is growing community-based education hubs to deliver culturally relevant genomic and precision medicine education and increase access to testing in BIPOC and underserved communities.
· Krishnan Family Foundation (Raleigh, NC), is developing a documentary-driven initiative and clinical engagement strategy to accelerate earlier identification and genetic testing for mismatch repair-related cancer risks in children.
· CancerCare (New York, NY), is addressing insurance-related barriers through research, education, and advocacy that supports patients navigating coverage delays and denials.
· PanCAN (Pancreatic Cancer Action Network) (El Segundo, CA) is expanding patient navigation services to increase access to genomic testing and help patients understand and use results to guide treatment decisions.
· TargetCancer Foundation (Cambridge, MA) is expanding access to genomic testing for patients with rare cancers through its TRACK study, which also generates data to support broader adoption in care.
· Paltown Development Foundation (Edgewater, MD) is strengthening peer-led education and support for colorectal cancer patients by expanding its ambassador network and increasing access to practical genomic information through its online community, COLONTOWN.
· Young Survival Coalition (New York, NY) is expanding bilingual biomarker and genomic education for young adults with breast cancer through community outreach and culturally relevant resources.
Looking ahead
In addition to funding, the grant program will bring participating organizations together to share insights, learn from one another, and help strengthen efforts to continue to expand access to genomics.
To learn more about the IMPACT grant program, follow this link
To learn more about Illumina’s efforts to improve access to genomics, follow this link
To explore Illumina’s community initiatives, follow this link
To learn more about Illumina’s Patient Advocacy team, follow this link
