Rush University System for Health plans to dramatically expand its clinical trials for patients with cancer thanks to a major donation from the family foundation of late business leader Harold B. Smith, the system announced Thursday.

Rush is not disclosing the size of the gift, but it is the largest ever donation to the Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center, according to Rush. Previously, the largest gift to Rush’s cancer center was $25 million, according to Rush.

The donation will establish the Harold B. Smith Family Cancer Research Center at Rush within the Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center. The new center will focus on expanding phase 1 clinical trials for cancer patients. A phase 1 trial is the first step in testing a new treatment in humans, and examines the safety, side effects, doses and timing of the treatment.

The money will allow Rush to triple the number of clinical trials it offers to patients with cancer within five years, according to the system. It will allow Rush to hire more research staff, renovate parts of its Joan and Paul Rubschlager Building to support the additional trials and help accelerate the pace at which new therapies are advanced.

“When patients enroll in clinical trials … they have the opportunity for treatments that are novel and treatments that can extend life and potentially cure,” said Dr. Amina Ahmed, director of the Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center. “These types of trials actually can be curative, so we really want to push forward these treatment options to our patients.”

Ahmed said the Smith family was particularly interested in seeing the donation go toward innovation.

The prominent Smith family’s support of Rush dates back to the 1870s. Family members were founding board members of Presbyterian Hospital and faculty of Rush Medical College, according to Rush.

Harold B. Smith was formerly the president, chief operating officer and on the board of Illinois Tool Works — a company his father helped launch. He was also a board member of Northern Trust, which was founded by his grandfather. Harold B. Smith was a longtime trustee at Rush.

“Supporting Rush was a lifelong passion of our father’s, who served as a dedicated trustee for more than half a century,” said the Harold B. Smith Foundation’s trustees in a news release. “Our hope is that through this collaboration, our father’s enduring commitment to medical progress will continue and impact the lives of generations to come.”

Last year, Rush announced that it was renaming its cancer center as the Rush MD Anderson Cancer Center, after partnering with top-ranked University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Rush said the partnership would allow protocols and cancer treatment plans at Rush to mirror those available at MD Anderson, give patients access to more clinical trials, and allow Rush doctors to consult with MD Anderson doctors on treatment decisions.

Hospitals in Chicago and across the country are increasingly focusing on cancer care, with demand climbing as baby boomers age.

Major Chicago-area health systems, including UChicago Medicine, Northwestern Medicine and Endeavor Health, are either planning, or have already started major construction projects related to cancer care.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/04/cancer-donation-rush-harold-smith/