One goal of the Cancer Center's Outreach and Education Program is to help bridge health disparity gaps. Sandra Rivera and Megersa Kumbi, Ph.D., community program associates with the Cancer Center, promote education and prevention within communities exceedingly affected by cancer.

As the community events coordinator, Rivera arranges speakers for service clubs, senior centers, schools, and work places; leads school tours; and provides interactive demonstrations at the Minnesota Science Museum, the Minnesota State Fair, the American Indian Wellness Fair, and other Minnesota health fairs.

While Rivera's work encompasses numerous Cancer Center events, she has a personal and professional interest in informing Native American communities in Minnesota about higher incidence and mortality rates of lung and colorectal cancer among Native Americans.

"I know the information is making a difference," says Rivera. "For example, I bring actual lung tissue to events to show people the differences between healthy, emphysema, and cancer tissue. People have returned to the events the next year to tell me they quit smoking."

Kumbi coordinates activities between the Cancer Center and the Minnesota Cancer Plan. One of his responsibilities is to ensure that communities with cancer health disparities have a voice in the state's Cancer Plan.

Kumbi builds relationships and recruits partnerships among organizations with corresponding agendas. "I attend community functions and introduce our objectives of cancer education and prevention to their coordinator. If there is an overlap, we determine how we can collaborate," says Kumbi.

Kumbi crosses cultural differences by listening to his community partners, gathering feedback, and promoting flexibility. "My vision is for the community to take charge and move toward our common goal of preventing cancer," he says.

---

This article was originally published in the University of Minnesota Cancer Center 2006 Annual Report (PDF).