Roswell Park Brings Lung Healthcare Initiative to Indigenous Communities Across North America

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A three-year grant from Lilly to Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center is bringing rich new lung health resources to Indigenous workplaces located across North America. Collaborating with human resources specialists with Tribal Nations and communities covering many regions of the U.S. and Canada, Roswell Park’s Department of Indigenous Cancer Health team will provide lung cancer screening workflow resources, lung wellness education and patient navigation services for thousands of eligible individuals.

This grant launched in 2025 and will contribute to the ongoing work of the Department of Indigenous Cancer Health, which addresses barriers to health care access experienced by many living within Indigenous communities. Indigenous communities in the U.S. face disproportionately high cancer burdens, with cancer incidence and mortality among the highest of any racial or ethnic group. Data compiled by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) show that American Indian and Alaska Native people have the highest cancer incidence and mortality of any racial or ethnic group for several cancer types, including lung cancer.

“Our program is all about education for the people, and it’s a way to help both urban and rural communities to build on their existing resources and strengths,” says Rodney Haring, PhD, MSW, Chair of the Department of Indigenous Cancer Health at Roswell Park and a citizen of the Seneca Nation (Beaver Clan). “We focus a lot on the importance of screening and early detection of lung cancer or lung disease, but this is a holistic program that brings in many aspects of self-health and health for future generations.”

“Lilly’s investment makes it possible for us to expand this work across Indigenous communities in the U.S. and Canada and meet people where they live and work,” says Candace Johnson, PhD, President, CEO and M&T Bank Presidential Chair in Leadership at Roswell Park. “With their support, we’re able to strengthen existing community resources and create sustainable pathways to lung health for current and future generations.”

“This grant will make a transformative impact on Native communities by supporting the incredible work of Dr. Rodney Haring and his colleagues at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center,” says Seneca Nation President J. Conrad Seneca. “Developing a healthier, stronger future for our people and our future generations starts with education and access. If we are going to break the cycle of elevated rates of disease, like cancer, plaguing Native communities, we need strong, committed partners like Roswell Park, who will work with us to understand our history and culture and incorporate them into high-impact programming to address the barriers to care that Native communities are forced to navigate.”

Partner communities within Tribal Nations in the Northeast, Midwest and South-Central U.S., the Pacific Islands and parts of Canada will be part of this initiative, with employers and governmental entities integrating provided resources into their own services for employees. The educational modules will also be offered to some Roswell Park team members through existing employee affinity groups. 

“A cancer diagnosis brings fear and questions,” says Seneca Nation Councillor Todd Gates, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2021. “It is critical, especially in Native communities where cancer rates are exceptionally high, that we have access to screening, information, resources and treatment like those provided by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. The work that Roswell’s Department of Indigenous Cancer Health does here in Western New York and across Indian Country is meaningful in helping Native people and communities be strong, active advocates for their personal care.”

Series of Lung Health Workplace Modules Offered

At the core of the program are five educator-led group modules that will allow participants to discover practical tools to start their lung health journey. The sessions will address topics such as cancer screening and early detection, lung health and wellness, resiliency and reconnection, health disparities, stress management and healthy goal setting. Ongoing evaluation will help program leaders structure the program to be as impactful as possible. Employees served through the program will also have access to Roswell Park’s virtual and Indigenous patient navigators — trained, qualified community members who will guide them through every step of their lung wellness journey, from screening referrals to getting their questions answered.

“We’re deeply grateful to the Lilly team for supporting our vision and giving us the opportunity to reach so many lives with these resources, to have a deep and lasting impact,” notes Dr. Haring.

Holistic Approach Guided by Indigenous Knowledge

Roswell Park’s Indigenous Cancer Health team — the first department of its kind at a U.S. cancer center — has years of experience blending Indigenous Knowledge with western medicine, tailoring services and support for each community member and incorporating important elements of Indigenous storytelling.

“Our program is infused with Indigenous ways of thinking, and we look at ways to promote health through traditional foods and healthy diets, as well as ways of connecting with community through traditional games and physical activity,” says Josie Raphaelito, MPH, a public health expert from the Diné/Navajo Nation who serves as Assistant Director of Roswell Park’s Department of Indigenous Cancer Health. “As we share knowledge about healthy eating, physical activity, lung cancer screening, cancer prevention and stress management, we will be empowering rural community members to advocate for their health, benefitting not only current members of those communities but also the generations to follow.” The Roswell Park Department of Indigenous Cancer Health team is separately funded from this Lilly grant.

For more information, see roswellpark.org/research/departments/indigenous-cancer-health or contact the team by e-mail at IndigenousCancerHealth@RoswellPark.org.

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From the world’s first chemotherapy research to the PSA prostate cancer biomarker, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center generates innovations that shape how cancer is detected, treated and prevented worldwide. The Roswell Park team of 4,000+ makes compassionate, patient-centered cancer care and services accessible across New York State and beyond. Rated “Exceptional” by the National Cancer Institute, Roswell Park, founded in 1898, was one of the first NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country and remains the only one in Upstate New York. To learn more about Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Roswell Park Care Network, visit www.roswellpark.org, call 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355) or email ASKRoswell@RoswellPark.org.