Bill’s Story: Cancer Survivor Makes Patient-to-Patient Connections for Research

Delaware resident brings a sense of fun to open conversations with patients about clinical trials

Members of the Graham Cancer Center research team with OPACT advocate Bill Osborne

June 15, 2026

After donning his Incredible Hulk wig, Bill Osborne drove from his Newark, Delaware, home to the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. He spent his morning at a table in the lobby volunteering, hoping that his shaggy green hair would attract the attention of newly diagnosed cancer patients.

“When they see me in a funny wig, it gets people to stop, and then maybe we can start a conversation about cancer and clinical trials,” Osborne said.

Cancer survivor Bill Osborne channels his inner rock star, donning a wig to open conversations with patients at the Graham Cancer Center about the advantages of clinical research trials. Joining his “band” are (from left): research specialist Miranda Powell, BSN, RN, OCN, medical director Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D., and research specialist Kelly Tibbett, MSN, RN, GERO-BC.

Patient-to-Patient Connections

Osborne is a member of ChristianaCare’s Oncology Patient Advocates for Clinical Trials (OPACT) committee, a group of volunteers who have participated in cancer clinical trials at the Graham Cancer Center. Clinical trials are research studies that help determine whether or not new treatments are better than the current standard of care.

Committee members talk to patients and their families about clinical trials at tabling events in the hospital and at community events, like 5K fundraisers sponsored by cancer organizations.

To learn more or to volunteer for OPACT, click here or call 302-623-4450.

“OPACT committee member involvement is critical for our secret sauce at the Graham Cancer Center when it comes to clinical trial enrollment,” said Thomas Schwaab., M.D., Ph.D., Bank of America Endowed Medical Director of the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute. “They take the conversation to a much deeper level, peer-to-peer conversations with fellow patients.”

After the last three OPACT tabling events in the lobby, three new patients joined clinical trials.

“That direct interaction with an OPACT member proved that they can make an impact at an individual level, overall increasing awareness for the program,” said Lauren Barone, MSN, RN, OCN, LNCC, senior research manager for cancer research at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Scores of Clinical Trials

At any given moment, there are 80 to 110 cancer clinical trials at the Graham Cancer Center. The opportunities are abundant because of ChristianaCare’s involvement with the National Cancer Institute’s Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). It’s a national network that enables patients to participate in national cancer clinical trials in their own communities.

“NCORP allows our patients to have the most up-to-date care for their cancer, and it allows our clinicians to stay up to date, since cancer care evolves so quickly,” said Gregory Masters, M.D., NCORP principal investigator. “Having so many clinical trials allows us to see things being done throughout the country and world, to give better cancer care.”

ChristianaCare’s NCORP has been recognized several times for its impressive patient enrollment rates. About 20% of Cancer Center patients are enrolled in clinical trials, which is higher than the national average of 4%.

“Even some university programs don’t reach 20% because they don’t have the infrastructure, the support of the hospital system and the community to do it,” Masters said.

Here comes the general! Bill Osborne draws inspo from George Washington. “When they see me in a funny wig,” Osborne said, “it gets people to stop, and then maybe we can start a conversation about cancer and clinical trials.”

Benefits of Clinical Trial Participation

ChristianaCare’s OPACT program started in 2011, based on a National Cancer Institute concept that when cancer clinical trial participants speak about their experiences at community events, it spreads education and awareness to patients at a very stressful time.

“With all the decisions they have to make about the cancer itself, the concept of clinical trials is yet another decision,” Masters said. “The OPACT group helps patients understand how they might benefit from clinical trials and what it’s like to be part of one. I think it’s very comforting for other patients.”

After Osborne was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2023, his oncology nurse asked if he wanted to participate in a clinical trial, and he quickly said yes.

If you want to enroll in a clinical trial, and if you want to receive cutting-edge treatment, you don’t have to leave the state of Delaware.

“My wife’s a nurse,” he said. “We have a lot of faith in medical decisions based on scientific results.”

Osborne later decided to join OPACT to encourage other patients to consider clinical trials.

“I talk to them about participating in something that may benefit them personally or someone following behind them,” Osborne said.

Years before Osborne was diagnosed, another OPACT member participated in a clinical trial for prostate cancer patients, to see if fewer radiation therapy treatments would effectively stop cancer growth. The outcome of that study impacted Osborne’s care.

“I got far fewer radiation treatments than he did, because his trial showed that fewer doses were effective,” Osborne said. “I’ve personally benefited from one of the guys in our group. We’re all trying to pay it forward.”

The cancer clinical trials program at the Graham Cancer Center rivals any program in the area.

“If you want to enroll in a clinical trial, and if you want to receive cutting-edge treatment, you don’t have to leave the state of Delaware,” Schwaab said.

To learn more or to volunteer for OPACT, click here or call 302-623-4450.