Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program

Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program

Mission and Goals

The Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program (KCAP) at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in conjunction with Wayne State University is dedicated to the prevention and cure of cancer. Our goal is to develop and promote a formal means for active patient advocacy; to facilitate cancer clinical trials awareness and accrual throughout local and state communities; and to provide a forum for cancer education about the state of cancer prevention screening, treatment, research, clinical trials and survivorship.

Membership

KCAP advocates are a diverse group of individuals of patients and/or caregivers who feel that they meet the criteria below.

Requirements

• Patient, family member or caregiver with personal experience with the effects of a cancer diagnosis
• Preferably one year beyond treatment
• Consistent with time commitments
• Computer access with an active email account
• Have demonstrated effectiveness in interacting with groups as a leader or active participant
• Willingness to embrace a broad perspective of cancer research and training

Time Commitment

• Serve for a minimum of one year as a member of KCAP
• Attend and participate in KCAP meetings (generally monthly)
• Participate in KCAP sponsored training (online)
• Participate in additional small groups specific to cancer type (time commitment to be determined by the group)
• Review research grant abstracts/ideas for Karmanos researchers
• Have the opportunity to participate in travel to national meetings to represent our advocacy group
• Potentially serve as a grant reviewer for internal and external funding agencies
• Partner and engage with Karmanos researchers on grant applications

Coordinating Team

• Hayley S. Thompson, Ph.D.
• Brittany Dowe, MPH
• Maida Herrera, MPH
• Danielle Marshall, M.Ed.

History

The Karmanos Cancer Advocacy Program (KCAP) began in 2018 under the leadership of Dr. Elisabeth Heath as a partnership between patients and the research community. KCAP in an extension of the Prostate Cancer Advocacy Group (PCAP) established in 2010. The successful PCAP advocacy model expanded to include all cancers.

KCAP trains survivors and their family members to help support Karmanos cancer research initiatives, review grant proposals for research studies, and become involved in volunteer led action groups that affect the future of cancer care. KCAP advocates have attended a year-long didactic training designed to promote survivor engagement in investigator driven research. The course was created for the advocates to be well prepared and empowered to engage with Karmanos Cancer Institute researchers and help direct future cancer research. Advocates develop grant-reviewing skills and began providing much needed feedback for internal and external grant review study sections.

KCAP advocates participate in panel discussions and seminars on issues affecting cancer research, join advocacy groups, meet with government officials to discuss issues impacting cancer care and more. KCAP advocates have participated in events with American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ASC-CAN) speaking with state legislators about issues influencing cancer in the state. KCAP Advocates are active in the Karmanos clinic areas and provide cancer awareness and education outreach to the community through presentations to community groups or education during health fairs and other outreach events.

Symposium

KCAP hosts an educational cancer symposium that is free to the public. The goal is to bring together people from the community to learn about the latest treatment and research advancements related to cancer.

Previous topics have included, Progress in Cancer Care, Advocacy, and Survivorship, Addressing Common Cancer Concerns and Myths, and Then and Now: Embracing the Future of Cancer Care.

Watch: Karmanos Cancer Institute's 11th Annual All Cancer Symposium (2021) on YouTube | Full Video

Watch: Karmanos Cancer Institute's 12th Annual All Cancer Symposium (2022) on YouTube | Part One | Part Two

Publications

Heath EI, Nanus DM, Slovin S, et al. Prostate Cancer National Summit's Call to Action. Clin Genitourin Cancer. 2019;17(3):161-168. doi:10.1016/j.clgc.2019.04.002

Prostate Cancer National Summit's Call to Action

Past Accomplishments

Each spring KCAP collaborates with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ASC-CAN) to visit the Michigan State Capital to speak with legislatures about issues affecting cancer in the state.

In 2017, KCAP advocates attended the Inaugural Prostate Cancer Summit in Detroit, MI with the keynote speaker Ken Griffey Sr., baseball legend and prostate cancer survivor and advocate.

In 2017, KCAP advocates attended the American Association for Cancer Research’s Disparities Conference in Atlanta, GA.

2017 AACR poster

In 2018, KCAP advocates attended the Inaugural NYC Prostate Cancer Summit in New York, NY.

In 2018, KCAP advocates attended the American Association for Cancer Research’s Disparities Conference in New Orleans, LA.

2018 AACR poster

In 2019, KCAP advocates attended the American Association for Cancer Research’s Disparities Conference in San Francisco, CA.

2019 AACR poster

In 2021, a KCAP advocate was a panel presenter and KCAP advocates supported the discussion during the breakout sessions at the 11th Annual All Cancer Symposium.

In 2022, a KCAP advocate attended the Pan Prostate Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) Meeting in Los Angeles, CA.

In 2023, KCAP advocates attended the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL

2023 AACR poster

In 2023, KCAP advocates attended Zero Prostate Cancer Support Group Leader Training in Dallas, TX.