6558 Background: Minority populations are underrepresented in biospecimen banks created for cancer research, which has implications for future therapeutic approaches. Patients’ reluctance to donate biospecimens is perceived to be a potential barrier but is poorly studied. We present interim analyses of a survey to assess attitudes in a patient cohort comprised of racial/ethnic minorities. Methods: Patients filled out a validated 23-item survey [ J Cancer Educ, 2014. 29: p. 580-7] for this prospective cohort study approved by the Cleveland Clinic IRB. Surveys were provided in the outpatient oncology clinic of a Cleveland Clinic community hospital. Eligibility requirements included tissue diagnosis of any solid tumor malignancy in non-curative setting; age ≥ 18 years, ECOG PS 0-2, self-reported race/ethnicity as any other than non-Hispanic White, undergoing cancer therapy in the next 30 days. Data are presented for the first 90 patients surveyed in 2015-2016. Results: Median age was 69 years (range, 35-92). Only 24 (27%, 1 missing) had been asked to donate samples in the past; of those, 20 (83%) had donated. The majority (n = 60, 67%) were willing to donate samples. A higher proportion (75%) responded as being likely to donate samples if they learned more about the research and reasons for sample donation. A smaller proportion was likely to donate samples if they received money (30%) or health services (40%) in return. Many (55-73%) disagreed with negative statements such as, “I will be treated as a guinea pig,” and only (3-4%) disagreed with trust statements such as, “I trust sample banks/medical researchers/procedures.” However, 42% endorsed being “concerned that something like the Tuskegee study could happen again.” Conclusions: The majority of racial and ethnic minority patients in this study were willing to donate biospecimens for research, with an even greater likelihood of participation if appropriate rationales were provided. While systemic mistrust persists, the vast majority trusted medical researchers and procedures. Our findings suggest that underrepresentation of minorities in cancer biospecimen repositories, not likely attributable to patient reluctance, must be addressed to achieve health equity.