Lance Armstrong Foundation Community Grant to Support Cancer Survivorship
Press Release - January 19, 2006
Hershey, Pa. -- The Northern Appalachia Cancer Network (NACN), in collaboration with Penn State Cancer Institute, has received $10,000 from the Lance Armstrong Foundation to provide a community-based training program to enhance colorectal cancer survivorship in underserved rural areas. Penn State is one of 12 nonprofit organizations across the country to receive foundation grants to help people with the physical, emotional and practical challenges of cancer.
Residents of Appalachia suffer from excess cancer occurrence, especially cancer of the lung, colon, rectum and cervix. Colorectal cancer deaths are higher in Appalachia when compared to the remainder of the United States. Pennsylvania has a particularly high occurrence of colorectal cancer, and it is more frequently diagnosed at a late stage when survival is lower.
Community cancer coalitions play an important role in meeting the needs of their residents. The grant will be used to provide workshops where coalition key stakeholders develop implementation plans, including resource guides and screening services, to take back and use in their communities. NACN cancer coalitions are active in Northumberland, Snyder, Union, Lawrence, Indiana, Wyoming, Crawford, Elk, Clearfield and Green counties of Pennsylvania, as well as southern New York counties of Delaware and Chautauqua.
"With this grant, we plan to help community cancer coalitions plan to enhance survivorship from colorectal cancer in a network of rural Appalachia communities," said Gene Lengerich, director of community outreach and education, Penn State Cancer Institute. Lengerich also is the principal investigator of the NACN. "We are honored and excited to be among such an extraordinary group of recipients who all share a passion for helping people with cancer. These efforts save lives and we are grateful that we'll be able to help people who otherwise may not have access to life-saving information."
The foundation provides financial support and capacity-building counsel for community-centered initiatives that address the physical, emotional and practical challenges of cancer. The LAF also offers its Community Program partners regular training, technical assistance and the opportunity to discuss challenges and exchange best practices at an annual Community Program conference.
"We are pleased to award more than $105,000 in grants to support project planning and evaluation projects for organizations like the Northern Appalachia Cancer Network and Penn State Cancer Institute," said Andy Miller, director of survivorship at the foundation. "Together, we are enhancing the quality of life for people affected by cancer."
The goal of NACN is to measurably reduce cancer-related health inequalities in medically underserved rural communities in Pennsylvania and New York. By bringing research and community groups together, NACN conducts participatory, evidence-based interventions that lead to community change and improved health outcomes. NACN focuses on reducing death from cancer of the colon, rectum, lung, cervix and female breast. The National Cancer Institute provides the funding for NACN. The parent organization of the NACN, the Appalachia Community Cancer Network, is a multidisciplinary team from community organizations and academic institutions in Appalachian regions of Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Penn State Cancer Institute is composed of four partnering institutions: Penn State, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network and Mount Nittany Medical Center. In addition, Lewistown Hospital, Susquehanna Health System and Wyoming Valley Health System are affiliate members. The institute's mission includes clinical care, research, education and community outreach. Unique to the institute is its network of comprehensive outpatient cancer services that are available in rural areas to patients who may otherwise be underserved by urban cancer programs.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation inspires and empowers people affected by cancer. The foundation helps people with cancer focus on living. From the moment of diagnosis, the foundation provides the practical information and tools people with cancer need to live life on their own terms. Founded in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the foundation is located in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.livestrong.org online.