The Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute has awarded funding to 12 organizations across Oregon to address various cancer-related needs, continuing its investment in community support through the Community Partnership Program, which has allocated over $6.4 million since 2014. (OHSU)

The Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute recently awarded funding to 12 organizations across Oregon to address local, community-identified cancer needs. Funded projects support needs across the cancer continuum from prevention and early detection to survivorship, while meeting the differing needs of Oregonians.

Jackie Shannon, Ph.D. (OHSU)

Since it began in 2014, the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute’s Community Partnership Program has invested more than $6.4 million in 238 projects around Oregon, including the 12 organizations that received funding this grant cycle. Each funded organization will receive a grant ranging from $15,000 to $60,000 to address cancer-related needs across the cancer continuum. The program is co-directed by Jackie Shannon, Ph.D. and Kerri Winters-Stone, Ph.D.

“Over the past 10 years, the Community Partnership Program has made a real difference in communities across Oregon, supporting them in addressing their most pressing cancer-related needs,” said Shannon. “I continue to be enthusiastic by the types of projects submitted and honored to be able to support these communities with funding, technical assistance and partnership.” 

Demystifying cultural perceptions

De Rose Community Bridge and Holistic Wellness provides culturally specific and culturally appropriate services to all immigrants, with a focus on Africans, Afghans and Arabic communities. Their newly funded project aims to demystify cancer care while fostering trust between health care clinicians and patients.

Rosaline Vakkai, founder and executive director, said the new project will raise awareness about the importance of HPV vaccination and early cancer screening to facilitate informed decision making about cancer care.

“Recently, we’ve had an increase in the number of young girls dying from metastatic cancer,” she said. “Implementing preventive and educational measures will reduce cancer-related deaths in our community. We appreciate the support from the Knight Cancer Institute.”

Removing structural barriers that hinder access

Salem Free Clinics is addressing gynecologic and breast cancers among adult women who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise experiencing medical marginalization. Their funded project increases access to screenings to improve early detection.

Trina Fowler, chief executive officer, said their clinics will now offer a variety of educational resources about mammograms and pap smears in different languages. In addition, the project will increase appointment opportunities for early detection screenings.

"The percentage of women seeking care at our clinics who are up to date with recommendations for pap smears and mammograms has been much lower than the Healthy People 2030 goal,” she said. “We want to be proactive in removing the barriers that may prevent women from obtaining early detection cancer screenings.”

A life-saving patient navigation program

Sky Lakes Medical Center Foundation aims to address late-stage breast cancer diagnoses in Klamath County, where the incidence rate of female breast cancer exceeds the state average and 40% of cases are diagnosed at a late stage – ranking as the third highest in the state.

Merritt Driscoll, director, said that Sky Lakes’ pilot project will improve access to timely screenings, diagnostics and coordinated care for all women in the region, particularly addressing disparities faced by populations who have limited access to health care resources.

“Klamath County has notable health disparities, including higher rates of metastasized breast cancer, which are exacerbated by systemic issues, such as delayed access to imaging and specialist referrals,” she said. “Our project features a dedicated breast health nurse navigator that facilitates patient journeys. This approach is an evidence-based intervention adapted to the local context.”

Focusing on patient navigation will improve access and outcomes. Driscoll and the Sky Lakes Foundation team will measure success through an increase in the percentage of women receiving timely screenings and a decrease in late-stage diagnoses over time.

Funding projects across Oregon

This grant cycle, 12 organizations received one-year funding:

• Asante Physician Partners: Overcoming barriers to care for rural esophageal cancer patients
• Centro Cultural del Condado de Washington: Rutas de Prevención del Cáncer: Protegiendo Nuestra Piel y Nuestra Comunidad/Pathways to Cancer Prevention: Protecting Our Skin and Community
• Chelsea Hicks Foundation: Chelsea’s Closet sustainably serving rural pediatric oncology patients and siblings at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center
• Community Cancer Center: Cancer survivorship clinic
• De Rose Community Bridge and Holistic Wellness: Cultural perceptions and barriers to cancer prevention among African, Afghan and Arabic communities
• Douglas County Cancer Services: Rural cancer morbidity, mortality and disparities needs assessment for Douglas County
• Multnomah County Health Department: Addressing cancer risk and inequities through strategies that impact nutrition security
• Oregon Chinese Coalition: HPV vaccination barriers removal
• Oregon School-Based Health Alliance: Advancing cancer prevention and nutrition education through a school health learning collaborative
• Pink Lemonade Project: Empowering community health workers with current breast cancer education, screening and resources in Oregon
• Salem Free Clinics: Increasing early detection cancer screening for uninsured, underinsured or otherwise medically marginalized adult women
• Sky Lakes Medical Center Foundation: Enhancing breast health care – a comprehensive patient navigation program at Sky Lakes