Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis knows what cancer patients face.
She battled breast cancer in 2021 with six rounds of chemotherapy, three surgeries, and six weeks of radiation.
And Casey DeSantis just made one announcement about cancer treatment that left doctors stunned.
Cancer Treatment Revolution Comes Home to Florida Panhandle
Florida's beating the rest of the country at something that actually matters.
Casey DeSantis announced that a groundbreaking cancer treatment program just treated its first patient in the Florida Panhandle.
Cancer CARE Beyond Walls allows eligible patients to receive chemotherapy at home instead of driving hours to treatment centers.
The Mayo Clinic program received over $1.8 million from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund during Fiscal Year 2024-25.
Patients get hospital-level cancer care without leaving their living rooms.
"With more than one billion dollars invested since Governor DeSantis took office, Florida has defined itself as an international leader in cancer research, care and innovation," Casey DeSantis said.
She called the home treatment program "a game-changer for Florida families."
Rural cancer patients face brutal obstacles getting treatment.
Studies show most leukemia deaths in Florida happen more than 30 miles from cancer care providers.
Rural cancer patients are 10% to 20% less likely to receive timely treatment than urban patients.
Nearly three in four rural patients travel over 50 miles to participate in clinical trials compared to one in six urban patients.
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The Florida Panhandle pilot launched December 18, 2025.
The first patient signed up December 22.
Treatment was delivered January 9, 2026.
Four of the planned 27 patients have enrolled with two receiving in-home therapy.
Florida Cancer Investment Pays Off
The Cancer Innovation Fund received $140 million since Casey DeSantis created it in 2023.
Florida poured over $1 billion into cancer research and treatment since Ron DeSantis became Governor.
That's a 114% increase from before he took office.
Mayo Clinic's program already delivered more than 1,000 in-home chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and hormone therapy treatments since launching in Jacksonville in April 2023.
"Cancer CARE Beyond Walls is focused on removing barriers to care and delivering high-quality cancer treatment to patients in their homes," said Dr. Roxana Dronca, principal investigator and director of Mayo Clinic Cancer Care Beyond Walls.
Mayo Clinic studies showed 73% of patients preferred home care after 24 weeks compared to just 9% who preferred the clinic.
Patient satisfaction scored 9.69 out of 10 for in-home care versus 9.54 for clinic care.
One teacher said the program changed her life because she doesn't miss school days anymore.
Another patient said his quality of life "changed significantly to a point I never thought I'd be."
Casey DeSantis turned her cancer battle into a mission to help every Florida family fighting the disease.
She was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2021 at just 41 years old.
Governor DeSantis attended all six of her chemotherapy appointments.
She was declared cancer-free in March 2022.
Casey never felt a lump.
She described it as a "dull sensation" that something wasn't right internally.
Her doctor initially said everything was fine.
But Casey pushed for a mammogram anyway.
That persistence saved her life.
Now she's using Florida's resources to save other lives by bringing world-class cancer treatment to patients who would otherwise choose between their health and financial survival.
The Panhandle program proves what's possible when government invests in actual solutions instead of bureaucratic waste.
Rural Americans shouldn't have to drive three hours each way for chemotherapy or skip treatments because they can't afford the gas.
Florida figured out how to solve that problem while other states are still holding committee meetings about it.
Casey DeSantis took her darkest moment and turned it into hope for thousands of Florida families who will never meet her but whose lives she's changing anyway.
That's leadership that actually means something.
Sources:
- Florida Governor's Office, "First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces Florida Cancer Innovation Fund Project Treats First Patient in the Florida Panhandle," February 10, 2026.
- Michael Costeines, "Casey DeSantis Announces Successful Treatment of Patient Under Florida Cancer Innovation Fund," The Floridian, February 10, 2026.
- Dasha Burns, "Casey DeSantis opens up about her battle with breast cancer," NBC News, August 7, 2023.
- Mayo Magazine, "Getting Chemotherapy at Home: What to Expect," December 9, 2025.
- Medscape Medical News, "Leading Centers See Success With Cancer Treatment at Home," September 3, 2025.
- Tampa Bay Times, "Rural Florida needs better cancer care. Here's how we can do it," May 14, 2025.
- CancerNetwork, "Challenges of Rural Cancer Care in the United States," November 4, 2025.
