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Tue May 13 10:50:00 UTC 2025: **Rob Lowe Honors Grandmother’s Cancer Battle by Advocating for Clinical Trials**
LOS ANGELES, CA – Actor Rob Lowe is partnering with Eli Lilly and Company to raise awareness about the importance of clinical trials for cancer patients, inspired by his grandmother’s successful participation in such a trial. Lowe, 61, shared with PEOPLE that his grandmother, Mim, was diagnosed with breast cancer when he was just eight years old. At the time, the prognosis was grim, leaving the family feeling helpless.
However, Mim’s life was dramatically altered when she was accepted into a clinical trial. This trial not only extended her life significantly, exceeding expectations for her type of cancer, but also allowed her to witness the treatments she participated in become standard care. Lowe describes his grandmother as a “fighter” who “beat the odds.”
This personal experience has motivated Lowe to advocate for increased participation in clinical trials. He highlights the low participation rate – only 7% of cancer patients in the U.S. – emphasizing that far more individuals could benefit from these potentially life-saving opportunities. Lowe stresses that while clinical trials aren’t suitable for every patient, they should be considered and discussed with a doctor. He notes that while his grandmother benefited greatly, his mother did not, highlighting the importance of personalized medical decisions.
Lowe’s initiative aims to honor the legacy of not only his grandmother, but also his great-grandmother and mother, who all battled breast cancer. He hopes to help others navigate the emotional journey of cancer while empowering them to explore all available options, including clinical trials. The actor expressed a sense of fulfillment in using his platform to combine his personal experience with a positive impact on others, finding solace and connection to his beloved grandmother in the process.