The UCCCC's new Office of Community Engagement and Cancer Disparities (OCECD) is expanding efforts to serve local communities through research, education, advocacy, and outreach. This is being accomplished through strategic partnerships with various organizations within UChicago, as well as with community-based and faith-based organizations.
The UCCCC is committed to understanding the unique needs and attitudes of its neighbors and to creating innovative programs to serve those needs.
Innovative Programs
- Empowering Neighborhood Resources in Combating Health Disparities (ENRICH'D™) is a culturally adapted, patient-centered breast cancer awareness and screening program launched in 2011. The program initially focuses on the African American community in Chicago's Roseland neighborhood and the Asian American community in Chicago's Armour Square neighborhood. See an article in Pathways to Discovery. Look at our brochure (PDF). Read a testimonial.
- Everyone Developing an Understanding of Cancer Awareness, Treatment, and Education (ED-U-CATE) is a workplace
wellness program designed to educate employees about cancer risks, prevention, screening, and treatment options. See our brochure (PDF). Read a testimonial.
- Promoting Art To Heal (PATH) is a program designed to allow children and young adults to use artistic expression to illustrate health and wellness to their community. The artwork is showcased during quarterly health-related townhall meetings. Local organizations, such as Little Black Pearl, Yollicali, Chinese American Service League, and the American Indian Center, participate in this culturally centered program.
- The Community Health Educators/National Outreach Network (CHE-NON) is a National Cancer Institute-supported program that is designed to create and adapt culturally and liguistically appropirate cancer resources for underserved communities.
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Cancer Transitions™ is designed by the Livestrong organization to support, educate, and empower people during the transitional period after cancer treatment is completed. Six weekly sessions plus a booster session provide cancer survivors with information, skills, and tools to address exercise, nutrition, emotional health, quality of life, and medical management.
| Chinatown Program - English (PDF) | |
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Recent Events
The OCECD has participated in a number of recent events including:
- Breast cancer townhall event at the Chinese American Service League
- Health information booth at a Percy Julian High School football game
- ED-U-CATE sessions at Exelon, Catholic Charities, Chicago Public Schools, PepsiCo, and Chicago Urban League
- Health tent at the Chicago Latin American Soccer Association (CLASA) championship games
- Cancer prevention discussion with Army Reserve Teen Panel
- Cancer survivors luncheon with NASCAR driver Max Papis
- Hepatitis Leadership Breakfast in the UIC Medical District
- Women Speak! A Breast Cancer Conversation at the South Shore Cultural Center
- Surviving Breast Cancer Together group discussion at Kennedy King College (See an article in Pathways to Discovery)
- State of the Cancer Union lecture at the DuSable Museum
- Family Wellness Night at the American Indian Center of Chicago
- Intercultural Cancer Council's Regional Symposium on Minorities, The Medically Underserved & Cancer at the University of Illinois at Chicago Pavilion. (See an article in Pathways to Discovery)
