The Minnesota Cancer Alliance (MCA) made a total of $10,000 available to MCA members in mini-grants for small projects that support implementation of Cancer Plan Minnesota (CPM). The goal is to either add capacity to Cancer Plan-related projects that are currently underway or to seed new projects.  Mini-grants were awarded in June to Survivor's Training, StratisHealth, and Virginia Piper Cancer Institute.

All three grantee organizations are Minnesota Cancer Alliance members. The grantees were chosen based a number of  criteria such as strength of relationship to Cancer Plan Minnesota, clear plan to measure project outcomes, and plan for project sustainability. The projects will be carried out between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011.

Survivors’ Training will work with trainers at the Minneapolis YWCA to increase levels of physical activity among cancer survivors. Survivors’ Training and the Minneapolis YWCA will work together to develop, promote, and implement specialty fitness classes at the Uptown and Midtown YWCAs. Survivors’ Training will provide continuing education to YWCA fitness staff to train them to work with women who have been diagnosed with cancer, and the YWCA will provide staff, facilities, and outreach to their members and the community to enroll participants in the classes. Survivors’ Training will also work to promote the program through its networks, including the Minnesota Cancer Alliance.

Virginia Piper Cancer Institute will conduct an assessment of psychosocial needs of women with advanced cancer. VPCI will conduct focus groups for women with advanced breast cancer patients who receive their care at any of the four Allina hospitals. A total of 32 women will be recruited to participate in the focus groups. The same questions will be asked at each focus group related to their needs in coping with advanced disease. Results will be collated, prioritized and shared with leaders in each cancer program. A pilot plan will be developed at one Allina hospital to address needs identified, which will later be expanded to the other Allina cancer program.

StratisHealth is poised to provide colorectal cancer screening webinars to assist Minnesota clinics to improve patient outcomes and complete public reporting. StratisHealth will develop, conduct, and record a Webinar that will be a tool to guide Minnesota clinics to best use their electronic medical record/electronic health record to improve colorectal cancer screening rates and fulfill federal and state public reporting requirements.

Questions?  Please contact Jane.Korn@state.mn.us or call 651-201-3605.