Arkansas Cancer Coalition

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MINI GRANTS

Fiscal Year 2016 Awarded Grants

FY 2016 SPRING: March 7 – May 13, 2016

Arkansas Youth Leadership

Program: Arkansas Tobacco Free Kids Day 2016

Funding Amount: $1,000

Counties Served: Statewide

Estimated Number of Individuals to be Served: 500

ACP Focus Area: Lung Cancer

Summary of Grant: Arkansas Tobacco Free Kids Day is an annual event that celebrates youth voices in partnership with the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids national initiative–Kick Butts Day. This activity will influence efforts to inform and reduce tobacco use in local communities across the state by exposing tobacco lies. Youth will participate in activities prior to ATFKD in preparation for the event. All attendees will be provided an ATFKD official #NOTaREPLACEMENT Tee provided by a partnering organization, and because students will miss school lunch to participate, students will receive a lunch. This activity will assist in increasing barriers to youth and young adult access to tobacco products and electronic smoking devices and promote abstinence, and it will allow youth voices to speak on issues that affect their well-being and make people aware of the manipulative practices of big tobacco. The silent march and rally for Arkansas Tobacco Free Kids Day–Kick Butts Day at the capitol will be youth-led adult assisted.

Program Objective(s): AYLI host the 9th Annual Arkansas Tobacco Free Kids Day/Kick Butts Day Silent March and Rally at the Capitol to advocate to Increase barriers to youth and young adult ac-cess to tobacco products and Electronic Smoking Devices (ESD), and promote tobacco abstinence for 500 + youth and adults on March 16, 2016. AYLI will host at least four ATFKD-Kick Butts Day Wrap-Up Sessions in four ATFKD participating schools on each educational level: elementary, mid-dle, high, and college reaching a minimum of 25 students–(a total of 100 students ) by April 29, 2016 in order to continue the efforts to demoralize tobacco/ESD use through educational and in-teractive activities, 100% of the youth that participate will have an increased awareness of the im-portance of tobacco prevention education and activities such as ATFKD.

Conway Regional Medical Center

Program: Cancer Outreach Program

Funding Amount: $1,960

Counties Served: Cleburne, Conway, Faulkner and Van Buren

Estimated Number of Individuals to be Served: 500

ACP Focus Area: Skin Cancer

Summary of Grant: Conway Regional Medical Center Cancer Outreach Program will be presented at schools and health fairs and will target 500 individuals from ages 0-95 years in North Central Arkansas for education in skin assessment, skin abnormalities, and when to seek medical attention.

The skin assessment machine uses “black light” to punctuate skin damage caused by sun exposure. The participant places their face in the machine and there is a mirror where the individual can “get a glimpse” of the damage that has been incurred. This is an opportunity for the educator to explain how sun damage occurs and how to prevent it. Pictures of various skin cancers accompany the skin assessment machine and education is conducted about specific types. The “ABCDE” s of skin cancer are presented, as well as a hand-out. The educator presents all information and allows time for question and answers. At the end of the presentation, the educator evaluates the interaction by asking questions about skin cancer, as well as has the participant select the picture of the abnormality that needs further evaluation by a physician.

Harding University College of Pharmacy

Program: Aspire to be Smoke Free

Funding Amount: $1,323

Counties Served: Dallas, Faulkner, Lonoke, and White

Estimated Number of Individuals to be Served: 150

ACP Focus Area: Lung Cancer

Summary of Grant: Aspire to Be Smoke Free is an educational outreach program initiated by the Harding University College of Pharmacy (HUCOP). Pharmacy students will work under the supervision of a HUCOP faculty member to serve rural Arkansans by raising awareness of the dangers of tobacco and nicotine containing products. They will also strongly promote smoking cessation. HUCOP students will have an opportunity to reach different generations by working with students in the Arkansas Head Start programs as well as their family members. The Arkansas Head Start programs serve low-income preschool children, promoting school readiness by enhancing social and cognitive development, and by providing health and nutrition services. This educational outreach will also be offered to the staff of the Head Start programs.

Program Objective(s): The outreach program will educate up to 150 preschool students on smoking-related issues and the negative health-related consequences of smoking between March 7, 2016 and May 13, 2016. Carbon monoxide levels will be measured, with a piece of equipment called a Smokerlyzer, from at least 35 staff and family members at the preschools. Staff and family members will be asked to complete a short pre and post-test survey before and after our demonstration.

Lavaca Elementary School

Program: Sun SMART Students

Funding Amount: $1,400

Counties Served: Sebastian

Estimated Number of Individuals to be Served: 350

ACP Focus Area: Skin Cancer

Summary of Grant: Lavaca Elementary is committed to the health of its student and it is our desire to provide a sun safe environment through education on sun protection methods and to reduce the risk of skin cancer from exposure to harmful UV rays. Many activities take place outdoors during warmer months, and school is in session when radiation levels are highest. Teaching children how to protect their skin is vital to their activity level and overall health. We would like to kick off our sun smart unit with various classroom and outdoor activities, educational videos, and a student-led weather report each day to include current UV levels. Teachers will be given lesson plans from the American Academy of Dermatology that cover topics on Healthy Sun Habits: Protection; What Gives Skin Its Color; Freckles and Sunburns; and, Protection and Sunscreen. These lesson plans will incorporate hands-on activities and experiments to help students gain a better understanding of what our skin is made of, how it is affected by ultraviolet light, and the basics on how to protect the skin we live in. Every classroom will be given a UV detector, sunscreen, and UV beads so that teachers can show students an easy and effective way to monitor their UV exposure. Administrative staff will be able to monitor daily levels and determine if and when it is safe for students to be outside.

Program Objective(s): Lavaca Elementary will present skin protection education to approximately 350 students in March through May, 2016, and implement a sun smart project into every class by May 1, 2016. Alternative sun safe programs will be utilized as needed for safe play, and a partnership with a local cancer support house will provide resources for parents and guardians on sun safe practices.

Paron Youth Empowerment Network of Paron Community Trust

Program: Keep It Covered: Skin Care and Outdoor Sports and Activities

Funding Amount: $1,864.02

Counties Served: Garland, Perry, and Saline

Estimated Number of Individuals to be Served: 500

ACP Focus Area: Skin Cancer

Summary of Grant: Paron Youth Empowerment Network of Paron Community Trust will work with young adults and pre-teens to increase their awareness of sun safety. It is a goal to provide the sports teams and outdoor study/work groups with sun safety items and information that will heighten their awareness of melanoma. The youth members of our group will have a booth set up at Perryville schools during outdoor sporting events to provide information to the crowd in attendance. It is the intent of our group to evaluate the sun exposure policies of the Perryville School District and offer suggestions if we see a need. It will be one of our goals to provide classroom teachers with sunscreen to be used on students as they leave the classroom for recess. We hope to partner with local parent and community groups in an effort to educate the community on the dangers of sun exposure and playgrounds.

Program Objective(s): Paron Community Trust will provide information in three rural communities concerning melanoma prevention. Paron Community Trust will have three events in rural communities and will provide information to at least 200 athletes, spectators and shoppers.

FY 2016 FALL: October 5 – December 18, 2015

American Cancer Society

Program: Increasing the Quality of Life for Arkansas Cancer Patients

Counties Served: Statewide

ACP Focus Area: Chapter 7: Survivorship

Summary of Grant: The American Cancer Society (ACS) provides extensive information and resources to cancer patients and their caregivers all across Arkansas. One request ACS continues to receive the most often is the need for a full cranial prosthesis (AKA wig), turbans, and caps. ACS works through a variety of companies to secure wigs but the requests have recently outpaced the amount of wig choices that we like to keep on hand.

Funding will allow ACS to increase our stock of wigs and turbans and estimate that they will be able to secure at least 70 wigs for approximately $30 each and a variety of nice turbans or caps at $8.00 each. They provide several hundred wigs and various head coverings each year to cancer patients across Arkansas. This can be through the mail, to ladies attending our various Look Good Feel Better (LGFB) programs, or visiting the American Cancer Society offices in Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas.

 

Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support Foundation

Program: Transportation Assistance Program

Counties Served: Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Polk, Scott, Sebastian

ACP Focus Area: Chapter 7: Survivorship

Summary of Grant: Financial concerns can greatly affect access to timely healthcare. In order to reduce the financial burden on cancer survivors and their families, the Reynolds Cancer Support House will provide gas cards for financially disadvantaged cancer patients for cancer treatment.

The travel assistance program seeks to reduce the travel barriers that keep cancer patients from accessing quality care and complying with recommended treatment and follow up plans. According to an article in USA Today dated February 27, 2012, “of the nation’s top 10 most expensive medical conditions, cancer has the highest per-person price.” The burden of cancer care is further increased by the additional cost of transportation and prescriptions and the reduction or loss of income during cancer treatment. Cancer fighters can spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on transportation costs alone.

In order to be eligible for the transportation assistance program, patients must meet financial eligibility requirements. Patients are also required to submit a receipt for their gas purchase before they are provided further travel assistance. Each application for assistance is evaluated and assistance provided based on need. Factors considered in this determination include: household income, expenses, current treatment schedule, and financial need for medical transportation assistance.

Mercy Health Foundation Fort Smith

Program: Oncology Patient Transportation Assistance

Counties Served: Crawford, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Polk, Scott, Sebastian

ACP Focus Area: Chapter 3: Access to Treatment

Summary of Grant: The oncology program at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith is one of only four facilities providing cancer care in the state of Arkansas that is fully accredited by the American College of Surgeon’s Commission on Cancer. As part of our mission, Mercy offers cancer care services to those cancer patients who are underserved and marginalized regardless of their ability to pay. Often, these patients reside in rural areas in outlying counties.

The nature of diagnosis of and treatment for cancer requires multiple trips for office visits, diagnostic testing, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, rehabilitation and follow up care. Low-income patients in rural areas have extremely limited access to public transportation and cannot afford to travel frequently or long distances for quality cancer care. This program will provide gas cards to underserved patients who do not have the funds for travel to receive proper diagnostic and therapeutic cancer care.

St. Bernard’s Cancer Care

Program: St. Bernard’s Cancer Care

Counties Served: Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross, Fulton, Greene, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Mississippi, Poinsett, Randolph, St. Francis, Sharp, White, Woodruff

ACP Focus Area: Chapter 3: Access to Treatment

Summary of Grant: The mission of St. Bernard’s Healthcare is to provide Christ-Like healing to the community through education, treatment and health services. St. Bernard’s Cancer Care will be providing transportation assistance to help alleviate barriers to treatment for low income families where patients could drive up to 70 miles each way for treatment. Low-income cancer patient’s living outside the city limits of Jonesboro, AR have a need for transportation assistance in order to offset some of the cost of driving to Radiation Oncology and Medical Oncology for treatments. The program helps to provide transportation assistance by providing gas cards, vouchers for JETS, NEAT, taxi and payment to ambulance services that are not covered under the patient’s insurance. St. Bernard’s Cancer Care hopes with the ACC Mini Grant; to provide transportation assistance to 30 to 50 cancer.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences

Program: Educational Intervention for Skin Cancer Prevention in Cosmetology Students

Counties Served: Statewide

ACP Focus Area: Chapter 9: Professional Education

Summary of Grant: Skin cancer rates are increasing in Arkansas; nevertheless, data suggest that primary care physicians seldom screen patients for skin cancer. The 5-year survival rate for patients with advanced melanoma is only 16%, while survival is 99% when it is diagnosed early. Cosmetology professionals have a unique opportunity to detect suspicious skin lesions on the scalp, neck, and heads of their clients because they routinely look at these areas during their customers’ visits. Yet, cosmetologists rarely receive skin cancer education. The Arkansas Cancer Plan’s goals include enhancing knowledge, skills and practices regarding cancer early detection. To support this goal and the corresponding objective to encourage professionals to acquire knowledge and skills needed to detect cancer, The principal investigators, Drs. El Faramawi and Fischbach plan a future study to encourage our target population, 582 cosmetology students, to participate in an educational trial which will compare changes in skin cancer knowledge and frequency of client screenings for students randomized to an online educational intervention versus no intervention. However, before such a project can be implemented, we need to develop the online educational intervention we hope to test. The proposed program has the potential to create a novel skin cancer screening tool for hard-to-self-screen sunexposed areas of the scalp, head and back of the neck which are frequently exposed to the sun and also examined by cosmetologists.

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