Karmanos Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement

07/12/2024

Academics often use jargon and scientific communication styles that can impede collaboration with community members outside of their disciplines. Effective communication is essential for fostering strong, sustainable community-academic partnerships that advance health equity. This workshop provides academic faculty and staff with practical guidance on how to engage with community partners through various communication channels, including emails, phone calls, direct conversations, and more. Learn how to build meaningful, authentic relationships and enhance your collaboration skills.

Join the Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations (CHECK-UP) virtually for Communicating with Community Partners to Advance Health Equity: Guidance for Academic Faculty & Staff on July 25, 2024 from 12:00PM - 1:30PM. This workshop is led by Rodlescia Sneed, PhD, MPH, Institute of Gerontology & Department of Psychology; Sarah Clark, MA, PhD Candidate, Department of Psychology; and Kayla Habermehl, Communications Specialist, Institute of Gerontology.

Register here: https://bit.ly/partnership-communication

07/03/2024

OCHECE is seeking passionate community members to become a Karmanos Academy Lay Health Advisor for Real Talk: Breast Cancer. Real Talk: Breast Cancer is a community-based women’s health video education program about breast cancer that features survivors who talk about their triumph over the disease. The mission of Real Talk: Breast Cancer is to educate and increase participation of breast cancer screening.

Real Talk Lay Health Advisors (LHAs) will host Real Talk sessions within their social networks following the completion of trainings.

Our next training for this program will be in August 2024. Join us to learn how easy it can be to share health information with your friends and community! Apply today! 💻

Link: https://bit.ly/KarmanosAcademyApp

06/28/2024

In case you missed it, check out our most recent webinar, "Navigating from Planet to Plate: Understanding the Connection between Food, Environment & Cancer" hosted in partnership with the Genesee County Cancer Action Council, CURES:Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors, and the Faith Community Research Network!

In June 2024, the Karmanos Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE) and the Genesee County Cancer Action Council hos...

06/15/2024

Click here to read in Arabic. The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is partnering with Wayne State University (WSU) School of Medicine and HYPE Athletics Center in Dearborn Heights to offer female cancer survivors 12 weeks of physical activity classes. These free classes are offered as part of a...

06/10/2024

June is National Cancer Survivors Month, a time to honor the determination and resilient spirit of cancer survivors and thrivers. From processing a range of emotions, to the physical toll of this disease, cancer survivors overcome numerous challenges.

Check out an article written by Macomb County Cancer Action Council member and cancer survivor, Wendy Clem, that highlights the importance of this month:

June is the designated month to celebrate those who have survived cancer, and those who played a part in that journey. This observance inspires celebrations in numerous countries. National Cancer Survivors Month aims to raise cancer awareness, saluting those who have finished treatment or are curren...

05/31/2024

REGISTER TODAY 📅

Do you want to learn more about how food and other environmental exposures can impact cancer? If so, register for our next program on Thursday, June 20 from 5-7 PM, "Navigating from Planet to Plate: Understanding the Connection between Food, Environment & Cancer"

Hosted by the Karmanos Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE) Genesee County Cancer Action Council, CURES:Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors and the Faith Community Research Network, this event will take place in person at Queens Provisions (421 Garland St, Flint, MI, 48503), and virtually via Zoom.

To register, visit: bit.ly/GeneseeEvent

Michigan Cancer HealthLink is a statewide network created to build research capacity in diverse communities. At the heart of Michigan Cancer HealthLink are the Cancer Action Councils (CACs). CACs are groups made up of cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates who come together to share their cancer concerns and turn them into research action.

05/14/2024

There's still time to register for this exciting event! 💃📅

Join OCHECE's Conner Creek Cancer Action Council event titled, "Moving for a Cause: Hustle your Way to Cancer Awareness" on Thursday, May 23, 2024, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Eastside Community Network 4401 Conner St, Detroit, MI, 48215. During this event, community members will learn about cancer survivorship and physical activity.

To register, visit: https://bit.ly/connercreekcac

05/13/2024

Earlier this month, four members of the OCHECE and WSU Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations team graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine Master of Public Health program.

We are very proud of Zainab, Zach, Afsana and Madison! Congratulations on this huge accomplishment and your new degree!

05/04/2024

We Run 313 has several events for the community happening this week in honor of their 5 year anniversary! Be sure to check them out 🏃🏃‍♀️

04/29/2024

Join the Karmanos Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE), the Faith Community Research Network, and the Genesee County Cancer Action Council for an event titled, "Navigating from Planet to Plate: Understanding the Connection between Food, Environment & Cancer" on Thursday June 20, 2024, at Queens Provisions 421 Garland St, Flint, MI, 48503. During this event, community members will learn about food, environmental exposures, and their impact on cancer.

Michigan Cancer HealthLink is a statewide network created to build research capacity in diverse communities. At the heart of Michigan Cancer HealthLink are the Cancer Action Councils (CACs). CACs are groups made up of cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates who come together to share their cancer concerns and turn them into research action.

To register, visit: https://bit.ly/GeneseeEvent

CURES:Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors

04/26/2024

Join the Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, and the Program for Breast Cancer in Young Adults for a webinar where they will provide actionable tips to start physical activity, while also addressing the importance of combating barriers to physical activity among cancer survivors and metastatic thrivers.

This webinar will also discuss referrals and resources that can assist individuals with finding a way to be active that meets their individual needs.

To register, visit: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rBKiy6p8QmGz9FmtLX2Lig #/registration

04/26/2024

Last week, OCHECE hosted its annual All Cancer Action Council (CAC) meeting at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Detroit. The evening was a great success with presentations from the Conner Creek CAC on their cancer caregiving guide, the Rural Michigan CAC on their research priorities and questions, as well as presentation from Melissa Seifert, Associate State Director - Government Affairs at AARP, on Family Caregiving in Michigan.

We also honored our Oakland, Macomb and Genesee County CAC members who celebrated five years with Michigan Cancer HealthLink! Thank you to all of our CAC members who attended. We appreciate the work you are doing to reduce cancer health disparities!

04/25/2024

Dr. Hayley Thompson was recently featured on Detroit Public Television's American Black Journal to talk about the efforts to tackle health inequities in Detroit and Michigan through the WSU Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations!

Check out the episode of American Black Journal here:

This week on American Black Journal: April is National Minority Health Month, an annual observance that highlights the health disparities faced by people of ...

04/25/2024

In March, the Macomb County Cancer Action Council hosted a webinar titled, "Navigating your Cancer Journey", with special guest speaker, Kimberly Dean, oncology nurse navigator from Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Macomb.

To read more about the webinar and learn more about oncology patient navigation resources across the state of Michigan, please visit:

Receiving a cancer diagnosis is the start of a care journey for each patient. Karmanos Cancer Institute provides many resources for patients, their families and caregivers, as they embark on their treatment path. Karmanos' Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE) recently par...

04/24/2024

Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program (KCAP) member, William "Bill" Winkler attended the 2024 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual meeting in San Diego, CA! Mr. Winkler attended the annual meeting as part of AACR's Scientist↔Survivor Program®, which is designed to build enduring partnerships among the leaders of the scientific, cancer survivor, and patient advocacy communities worldwide.

This special educational program provides patient advocates with special lectures using plain language, small group discussions, and other opportunities for the exchange of information on key aspects of cancer research, survivorship, advocacy, and public policy.

During the meeting, Mr. Winkler also had an opportunity to present a poster on KCAP! Thank you, Mr. Winkler for your commitment to KCAP and the work of OCHECE!

04/22/2024

OCHECE is still looking for passionate community members to become a Karmanos Academy Lay Health Advisor for our new program, Real Talk: Breast Cancer! Real Talk is a community-based women’s health video education program about breast cancer that features survivors who talk about their triumph over the disease. The mission of Real Talk is to educate and increase participation of breast cancer screening.

The next training for this program will take place on Saturday, May 4! Apply to Karmanos Academy today to receive this important training!

Application: https://bit.ly/KarmanosAcademyApp

04/18/2024

Join us for the Screening Saves Lives Event hosted at the Karmanos Cancer Institute Lawrence and Idell Weisberg Cancer Center on Saturday, June 8 from 9 AM - 2 PM. During this event, there will be breast cancer and head & neck screenings, along with free activities.

OCHECE will also be onsite providing information about Karmanos Academy and other programming.

04/17/2024

April is Minority Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer affects all populations, but due to social, environmental and economic disadvantages, certain groups are disproportionally burdened by the disease.

To learn more about cancer health disparities that exist across the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute catchment area, visit: https://www.karmanos.org/karmanos/catchment-data

The Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE) supports and coordinates research, outreach and programming to help reduce the burden of cancer in Michigan.

04/15/2024

Dr. Theresa Hastert (Associate Professor in the Department of Oncology at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine) was recently interviewed by Second Wave on the soon to be released Michigan Community Outreach to Address Financial Toxicity (MI-COST) website.

Read more at:

In Michigan, several efforts are underway to help cancer patients prepare for, manage, and alleviate the financial struggles associated with treatment.

04/15/2024

NEW EVENT! 📅

Join the Karmanos Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE), the Conner Creek Cancer Action Council, & Eastside Community Network for an event titled, "Moving for a Cause: Hustle your Way to Cancer Awareness" on Thursday, May 23, 2024, 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM at Eastside Community Network 4401 Conner St, Detroit, MI, 48215. During this event, community members will learn about cancer survivorship and physical activity.

Michigan Cancer HealthLink is a statewide network created to build research capacity in diverse communities. At the heart of Michigan Cancer HealthLink are the Cancer Action Councils (CACs). CACs are groups made up of cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates who come together to share their cancer concerns and turn them into research action.

Register at: https://bit.ly/connercreekcac

03/22/2024

The Karmanos Academy team (hosted by OCHECE) is seeking passionate community members to become a Karmanos Academy Lay Health Advisors for their new program Real Talk about Breast Cancer Education. Real Talk is a community-based women’s health video education program about breast cancer that features survivors who talk about their triumph over the disease. The mission of Real Talk is to educate and increase participation of breast cancer screening.

Real Talk Lay Health Advisors (LHAs) will share Real Talk with their social networks following the completion of trainings. Join us to learn how easy it can be to share health information with your friends and community!

The first Real Talk Lay Health Advisor training will be held Saturday, April 6th, 2024, from 10am to 3pm in-person in Midtown Detroit. View the attached flyer to learn more.

Please apply by Monday, April 1st to receive this training!

Application: https://bit.ly/KarmanosAcademyApp

03/18/2024

There is still time to register for our next program!

Join the Karmanos Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE) and the Macomb County Cancer Action Council for a webinar titled, "Navigating your Cancer Journey" on Monday, March 25 at 6:30 PM. During this webinar, community members will learn about cancer patient navigation across the state of Michigan.

To register, visit: https://bit.ly/cancernavigation

03/14/2024

Yesterday members of the KCI OCHECE team, as well as community members involved in the Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program (KCAP), and Cancer Action Councils (CACs) attended the 2024 ACS CAN Michigan Cancer Action Day in Lansing!

Our team was able to meet with state lawmakers and aides to advocate for cancer fighting initiatives related to to***co cessation and prevention.

03/11/2024

Registration is now open for the 2024 Community-Engaged Research Summit!

WSU Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations & Karmanos Cancer Institute OCHECE are excited to announce the return of the Community-Engaged Research (CEnR) Summit. This year, the CEnR Summit will focus on the impact of income and employment on health outcomes and health equity. Join us Thursday, April 11 for networking and a panel discussion and then again on Friday, April 12 for an update from CHECK-UP Research Networks, a keynote speaker, and a panel discussion featuring local academic and community experts.

Learn more about the Summit here: https://check-up.wayne.edu/2024summit

Register here: https://bit.ly/2024cenr-summit

03/08/2024

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death, but it’s largely preventable and treatable. National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month raises awareness and encourages screenings for early detection.

Regular screening for colorectal cancer begins at age 45, but if you’re younger than 45 and believe you’re at high risk, talk to your primary care physician. To learn more, visit https://www.karmanos.org/karmanos/colon-cancer-screening?fbclid=IwAR02LTfPEYPao9DO_NyWvV8dwvocnuILBV2rb0XJR27akIoHEC2ha1isRw4

03/06/2024

Register Today! 📆

Join the Karmanos Cancer Institute Office of Cancer Health Equity and Community Engagement (OCHECE) and the Macomb County Cancer Action Council for a webinar titled, "Navigating your Cancer Journey" on Monday, March 25 at 6:30 PM. During this webinar, community members will learn about cancer patient navigation across the state of Michigan.

Michigan Cancer HealthLink is a statewide network created to build research capacity in diverse communities. At the heart of Michigan Cancer HealthLink are the Cancer Action Councils (CACs). CACs are groups made up of cancer survivors, caregivers, and advocates who come together to share their cancer concerns and turn them into research action. The Macomb County CAC started in 2018 as an expansion of Michigan Cancer HealthLink.

To register, visit: https://bit.ly/cancernavigation

03/05/2024

Marie Paul, a 10-year ovarian cancer survivor took her diagnosis as a calling to do whatever it takes to make the odds for those also diagnosed with cancer better than before. Marcie is also a member of the Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program (KCAP), managed by OCHECE.

To learn more about Marcie's advocacy work and involvement in the recent passing of the oral chemotherapy check out the article below.

Marcie Paul is a tireless advocate for cancer patients. Through more than a decade of advocacy work to expand access to cancer care through research funding and education, Paul is doing a great deal to contribute to improved outcomes for patients who he...

03/01/2024

This week, OCHECE/CHECK-UP Research Assistant, Afsana Rinky, presented a poster ("Research Capacity Analysis of Karmanos Cancer Institute's Research and Advocacy Consortium") at the Wayne State University Graduate Research Symposium! The symposium is a unique opportunity to see the research being conducted at WSU.

Congratulations to Afsana on her fantastic poster. The OCHECE team is very proud!

WSU Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations