Seattle Cancer Care Alliance launches health improvement grant program

Inspired by its Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) 2012-2015 report, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) recently launched a health improvement grant program. The new community program addresses specific cancer screening, early detection, and prevention needs for at risk populations in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. Designed to build sustainable collaborations with Washington communities, SCCA selected seven local nonprofit organizations to receive funds. The SCCA Community Health Improvement Grant program awarded funds up to $7,500 to grantees. The 2015 grant recipients include:

o American Cancer Society (Pierce County)
o Cornerstone Medical Services
o El Centro de la Raza
o HealthPoint
o NeighborCare Health
o WithinReach
o YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish

Based on findings from SCCA's community needs assessment report, four out of every ten people in Washington will be diagnosed with cancer, and preventive efforts, such as screening and early detection, fall short in many areas around the state. SCCA's grant program hopes to address these shortcomings through the development of culturally and linguistically appropriate educational outreach.

"The most vulnerable people in our community face profound health challenges because of a lack of resources, including tobacco cessation and prevention," said Estela Ortega, executive director at El Centro de la Raza. "Addressing the causes of cancer and other diseases related to tobacco use must be done head-on and in collaboration with groups dedicated to building healthy living for all. We are proud to have such outstanding partners in defending the health and wellbeing of our families."

SCCA Community Health Improvement Grants were designed specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations that provide health and human services or education programs to community members in King, Snohomish, and/or Pierce counties.

"We're excited to work together with the local community to improve awareness and educational outreach on cancer and prevention," said Norm Hubbard, executive vice president of SCCA. "Early detection is what saves lives, and encouraging individuals to adopt prevention-related habits is a simple but important way we can reduce the impact of cancer in the Greater Seattle area."

To be considered for a grant, organizations were required to go through an application process. Each applicant was required to provide a detailed description of the programs needing financial support and an outline of the steps it plans to take to educate their clients or members about cancer.

"Cornerstone Medical Services is delighted to receive support from SCCA to conduct preliminary colorectal cancer and tobacco prevention," said Suzanne Pak, vice president, Community & Human Services at Cornerstone Medical Services. "We have enrolled more than a thousand under-served individuals into health insurance for the first time and now is the time to follow up with a preventative health outreach and education program that encourages individuals to begin utilizing these health benefits."