Published on April 11, 2008
Updated on March 15, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT:
Juhi Kunde
703-837-3687
juhi.kunde@preventcancer.org
Support for cancer prevention programs expands to reach more underserved communities nationwide
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Prevent Cancer Foundation awarded five grants totaling $400,000 over two years to community-based groups for cancer screening, outreach and education programs. Thirty-eight organizations from around the country applied for these grants; five were selected by a review panel of community outreach, clinical and public health research experts who specialize in underserved populations. The grants support prevention and early detection programs focusing on cervical, colorectal, prostate and breast cancer.
The purpose of the Foundation’s community grants is to support local cancer awareness and screening programs across the United States for all populations, especially underserved communities. The Foundation-funded programs focus on reducing cancer risks, finding tumors earlier and demonstrating the potential to make a positive impact in the field of cancer awareness.
“I am delighted that our organization has chosen to expand our support of community-based programs that focus on the underserved, as we will be continuing our efforts to make a significant impact in cancer prevention,” says Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of the Prevent Cancer Foundation.
AWARD RECIPIENTS:
Chenango Health Network Reports consistently document that individuals who are uninsured have higher cancer mortality rates than those with better access to care. The Chenango Health Network in New York will reach their local medically-underserved community with cervical health information, cervical cancer screenings and any necessary follow-up care.
Emory University School of Medicine “Promotoras” (Spanish for community health workers) have proven to be an effective vehicle for health promotion in the Latino population. Con Amor Aprendemos (With Love We Learn), an Emory University School of Medicine program, will train promotoras to help couples learn behaviors that reduce the risk of HPV transmission and consequently, cervical cancer. The program will create a network of individuals trained to disseminate the information to the Latino community in Georgia.
Hispanic Health Initiatives, Inc. The program will work to address multiple barriers facing the Hispanic population by ensuring that 3,000 women in Florida understand the importance of annual screening and early detection for breast cancer. In addition, the program will provide information and facilitate access to appropriate facilities, including transportation and child care assistance.
Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County, Inc. Nearly 150,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, the nation’s second leading cancer killer. The program will help increase cancer prevention among an underserved community in Maryland by adding colorectal cancer screening to the list of services provided by a network of ten community clinics. The program also plans to use patient navigation to address barriers to healthcare.
Rural Health Group, Inc. African American men are disproportionately affected by prostate cancer. The Rural Health Group, Inc. will target this population in three North Carolina counties with a prostate cancer prevention program designed to educate and raise awareness. The program expects to reach 2,500 men with prostate cancer prevention information and to recruit 200 men for screening.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation funds community grants annually. In 2007, eight organizations were supported with grants through a pilot funding cycle of this grant program. And this year, the Foundation awards totaled almost $1 million for community-based education and screening grants.
The five recent awardees represent the continued success of the program in supporting community efforts across the United States. This community grants program – which focuses on educating the public about cancer risk reduction and early detection – is generously supported by a grant to the Prevent Cancer Foundation from the Amgen Foundation.
“The Amgen Foundation applauds Prevent Cancer Foundation’s efforts to ensure that people affected by cancer can overcome barriers to access and receive important resources and services,” said Jean J. Lim, president of the Amgen Foundation. “Through support of the community grants program, we hope to encourage institutions across the country to develop new ideas and local leadership to effectively increase access for underserved patients.”
Visit www.preventcancer.org for more details about the next round of funding for the Foundation’s Community Grants program.
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About Prevent Cancer Foundation
The Prevent Cancer Foundation (formerly the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation) was started in 1985 when Founder and President Carolyn Aldigé first understood the power of prevention to defeat cancer – and recognized that too few of the country’s resources were used to promote cancer prevention research or education. Today, it is one of the nation’s leading health organizations and has catapulted cancer prevention to prominence.
Since its inception the Foundation has provided more than $97 million in support of cancer prevention and early detection research and education programs. The Foundation’s peer-reviewed grants have been awarded to more than 300 scientists from more than 150 of the leading academic medical centers nationwide. This research has been pivotal in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important cancer prevention and early detection strategies. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.
About the Amgen Foundation
The Amgen Foundation seeks to advance science education, improve patient access to quality care, and strengthen the communities where Amgen staff members live and work. Since 1991, the foundation has made nearly $110 million in grants to local, regional, and national nonprofit organizations that impact society in inspiring and innovative ways. It has also supported disaster relief efforts both domestically and internationally.
