Imagine Cancer Equity Series

This virtual series included three collaborative sessions held between October 2020 and March 2021. Building momentum off one another, the sessions focused on social determinants of health in cancer and the role that Family Reach and our community can play in supporting the most vulnerable populations facing cancer. As we listened to our esteemed speakers and learned from their firsthand perspectives, we deepened our commitment to understanding the many paths that lead families to our services and applying a racial equity lens to our programs.

Catch up on the series below and stay tuned for next steps sparked by these powerful sessions.

Series Breakdown

Session #1: Understanding Health Disparities to Improve Patient Care and Support Programs

Imagine Cancer Equity: Understanding Health Disparities to Improve Patient Care and Support Programs

Session 1 of 3

About

The first session in our in a three-part Imagine Cancer Equity series focused on social determinants of health (SDOH), this event started the conversation by defining these determinants and addressed how they create disparities in the cancer care system. From access to care to the ability to afford daily essentials like healthy foods and housing, SDOH can lead to poorer health outcomes for patients and families from certain socioeconomic backgrounds. Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified these health disparities.

During our our first session, moderator Yousuf Zafar, MD brought together experts from the field. Panelists shared their first-hand clinical experience and the most up-to-date research to provide background on the scope of this problem. From there Dr. Yousuf Zafar furthered the discussion to help viewers see their services through a health-equity lens and consider changes to promote equality in cancer care.

 

Learn more from our panelists by visiting the recording above. 

Speakers

Session #2: Leveraging Collaboration Across Sectors to Eliminate Disparities

Imagine Cancer Equity: Leveraging Collaboration Across Sectors to Eliminate Disparities

Session 2 of 3

About

Our three-part Imagine Cancer Equity series continued with a discussion focused on collaboration across industries to best serve all cancer patients, regardless of their socioeconomic status. With the COVID-19 pandemic magnifying the disparities in social determinants of health, such as access to care and the ability to afford daily essentials like healthy foods and housing, the conversation illuminated a widespread opportunity for change.

Our expert panelists discussed the myriad of challenges embedded in delivering truly equitable programs and how partnerships can be key in closing gaps. Throughout the discussion speakers provided tangible examples of collaborations across industries to address disparities in cancer care and how data can support measuring impact and program success. 

If you missed this collaborative panel discussion live, catch up by watching the recording above.

After the panel discussion, a group of attendees from various industries met in small groups to innovate how to work together to promote equality in cancer care.

Speakers

Session #3: Elevating the Patient Voice

Imagine Cancer Equity: Elevating the Patient Voice

Session 3 of 3

About

Throughout the series, we have focused on discussing disparities in cancer care. Our first session featured expert speakers who discussed how social determinants of health created inequities in accessing and adhering to treatment, while the second conversation explored how collaboration across sectors can reduce disparities. 

We closed out this last session in our Imagine Cancer Equity series by inviting the key voices that had been missing from the conversation to this point to share their perspective: the patients, caregivers and families who are navigating these barriers every day. Our speakers Tamika Felder and Marisela Hoyos began the discussion by sharing their stories as a patient, survivor and caregiver. From there they offered thoughts on how their experiences could inspire changes within and outside the healthcare system to reduce disparities in cancer care. 

We’re grateful to have opened Imagine Cancer Equity: Elevating the Patient Voice in memorable way. We began the live session with a special pre-recorded performance from jazz musicians Wynton Marsalis, Ted Nash, and Kristen Lee Sergeant which grounded our conversation in a moment of optimism and collective joy. 

Catch up on this meaningful discussion by visiting the recording above. 

Speakers

Pre-Recorded Performace

Imagine Cancer Equity Series Speakers

Imagine Cancer Equity Series Sponsors