What's New at the Decatur Community Partnership

The 4th quarter stood to be one of unique opportunities for the Decatur Community Partnership. We started off the quarter in October with accepting the “Community Pride Health Care Award” from the Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented to the Decatur Community Partnership ENACCT Grant during a red carpet event in downtown Decatur.

Also in October the Decatur Mayor signed the proclamation declaring October 15-19 the first annual Research Awareness week (RAW) for Decatur, Illinois. Poster presentations describing all aspects of research, including an ENACCT poster, were displayed that week in the cafeteria of one of the local hospitals. During RAD we had our lead trainer’s present information on cancer clinical trials to both HCP and CL.

At the end of October ENACCT contributed information, time and give aways to the Early Detection Connection breast cancer awareness event. The staff handed out bags that included cancer clinical trial information. In all 750 bags were handed out.

ENACCT partnered with another grant called Ticket for the Cure to provide a “Ladies Afternoon Out” event with the local housing authority. Over 30 women were given a palm card and information of what CT are and how they can be accessed locally.

The last part of October, Margo Michaels provided our first HCP TOT with 6 local Healthcare Professionals. The 3 day event yielded very confident, dedicated trainers eager to spread the news about Cancer Clinical Trials to their peer groups. Our HCP trainers, despite the season, were able to conduct 2 HCP workshops for a total of 23 attendees.

In additional to the 2 other CL presentations made during our 4th quarter, we developed relationships and trust among the Amish and Mennonite. After meeting with their leaders and receiving their blessings, we collectively organized a health fair with free health screenings, provided an Amish catered dinner and gave an ENACCT presentation to 97 adults. Besides being well attended, the event was a cultural one and we continue to keep the doors of communication open on a monthly basis.

We look forward to our 2008 achievements and challenges as we target the HCP community and begin work on policy/practice barriers.