Through collaborations, Roswell Park staff have shared information with more than 2,400 area residents in 2012
BUFFALO — At a reception today on its campus, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Roswell Park) recognized 19 organizations that have taken an active role in informing underserved populations about cancer and cancer prevention through their partnerships with the Now U Know initiative.
Now U Know is a health-education program that brings Roswell Park staff to community events throughout the region, offering evidenced-based cancer prevention and control programs to minority and underserved communities. Since the initiative was launched in January, Roswell Park health educators have shared information about cancer risk, symptoms, screening and prevention at 121 separate events.
“In this region and all over the country, disparities persist in access to health care and to edcuation about health and prevention,” said Deborah Erwin, PhD, Director of Roswell Park’s Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research. “So we’re bringing Now U Know to church events, picnics, music festivals and health fairs, and in many cases we’re informing people about facts and resources they never heard about before.”
Targeting those areas where the most significant health disparities are seen, Roswell Park staff have participated in events in Buffalo, Lackawanna and Niagara Falls. Events in Dunkirk and Jamestown, both in Chautauqua County, NY, are planned.
“We know people have been referred for appropriate screening or treatment as a direct result of our participation in these community events,” said Roswell Park President and CEO Donald L. Trump, MD, FACP. “That’s exactly the kind of impact — possibly saving lives — that we hoped Now U Know would have, and we simply could not get this information out to the community so effectively without the enthusiastic support and collaboration of these organizations.”
Representatives from the following community organizations were recognized at Roswell Park today:
- 100 Black Men of Buffalo
- Baker Victory Services
- Belmont Shelter Services
- Black Buffalo Chamber of Commerce
- Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
- BUILD of Buffalo
- First Centennial Missionary Baptist Church
- First Ladies of Western New York (FLOW)
- First Shiloh Baptist Church, Buffalo
- Gateway-Longview Family Resource Center
- Greater Emmanuel Temple Church
- Hananiah Lutheran Church, Buffalo
- Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York
- Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida de Buffalo
- Second Baptist Church (Lackawanna)
- Trinity Baptist Church (Buffalo)
- True Bethel Baptist Church
- University District Coalition of Block Clubs
- Word of Life Ministries
“Now U Know is a really good program, and it’s a great fit with our own mission and priorities,” said Charley H. Fisher III, President of BUILD (Build Unity, Independence, Liberty & Dignity) of Buffalo. “Our hope for Buffalo-area residents is that they be empowered to make their lives better and more fulfilling, and our health is such a crucial piece of that kind of growth.”
The mission of Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Roswell Park, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit Roswell Park’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email AskRoswell@Roswellpark.org.
Annie Deck-Miller, Senior Media Relations Manager
716-845-8593; annie.deck-miller@roswellpark.org