Minnesota is fortunate to have many gifted individuals working together to further comprehensive cancer control initiatives throughout the state. Since Cancer Plan Minnesota was created in 2005, many new collaborations and programs have been created to work toward the goal of reducing the burden of cancer among all Minnesotans.

To recognize and honor a few of the exemplary collaborations and gifted leaders conducting this valuable work, the Minnesota Cancer Alliance offered the inaugural Spirit of Collaboration Awards in coordination with its annual Cancer Summit.

The Alliance recognized exemplary collaborations by offering Spirit of Collaboration Awards to the below two individuals and collaborative groups.

• Paul Limburg, M.D., M.P.H., Mayo Clinic, for his collective vision to create the Colorectal Cancer-Free Zone research project in coordination with City of Rochester employees as well as the 2008 regional Marching Toward Cancer Prevention event.
  
  
• Barbara Hensley, Hope Chest for Breast Cancer, for her tireless efforts to create Hope Chest resale shops to raise money to support breast cancer research in honor of both of her sisters who died of breast cancer.
  
  
• Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio (CLUES) Community Health Workers (CHWs) of the Diverse Racial and Ethnic Groups And Nations (DREGAN) Project for their tobacco educational efforts which reached over 38,887 Latino individuals in 2007.
  Collaborative Organizations: CLUES, Carlos Construction, Association for Non-Smokers- Minnesota, Portico Healthnet, The Neighborhood House, Latino Enterprise Center, Aquí Ecuador Radio Program, Ramsey County Public Health Department.
  Collaborators: Collaborators: Angel Sinchi, Annyb Hanson, Carlos Riera, Carmen Robles, César Orjuela, Ernesto Flores, Fátima Jaramillo, Gloria L. Rivera, José Moreno, María E. Escoto, María F. Andueza, María Sosa, Marianela Molina, Martha Rodríguez, Miguel Zarate, Nuria Berro, Patricia Baker, Victor Hernandez, Sandra Ballesteros, Santa Rodríguez, Teresa Cruz.