Exciting News from HBCU CARES and Doctor Celeste CARES!

We are thrilled to announce that HBCU CARES, in collaboration with Doctor Celeste CARES, has been awarded a prestigious $50,000 PhRMA Cares grant. This funding will support the "Lifestyle Reset: A Cancer Prevention Initiative," led by Birmingham physician Dr. Celeste Reese Willis. Out of applicants nationwide, this project was one of only five selected for the grant. To further bolster this initiative, HBCU CARES has also provided a $40,000 match grant as part of its student wellness initiative, with generous support from the Alabama Legislature.

The initiative addresses significant disparities in cancer incidence and mortality rates among Alabama's black and white populations. According to the Statewide Alabama Cancer Registry, black males face a higher mortality rate of 265.9 compared to 221.6 among white males. Similarly, black females have a higher mortality rate of 157.2 compared to 143.5 for white females, despite white females having higher cancer incidence rates.

Dr. Celeste Reese Willis, Medical Director for Doctor Celeste CARES, highlighted the critical role of early education and screenings, stating, "Early education and regular screenings play a vital role in instilling sustainable habits for prevention and early detection. By reaching young adults through this initiative, we aim to build a foundation of health awareness that will benefit these communities for generations to come."

The "Lifestyle Reset: A Cancer Prevention Initiative" focuses on improving cancer screenings and education within African-American communities at and around Alabama's HBCU campuses. The program includes public health fairs and screenings for cancers that disproportionately impact the African-American community. An online screening tool, developed specifically for this initiative, will provide valuable data from Alabama's HBCU institutions. Additionally, a six-module educational video series targeting HBCU students aspiring to enter the medical and research fields will be launched on social media.

Danielle Kennedy Jones, Executive Director of HBCU CARES, expressed her enthusiasm about the partnership: "We are thrilled to collaborate with Doctor Celeste CARES on this crucial initiative. HBCUs and HBCCs have a unique influence on public health outcomes within African-American communities, and this partnership underscores our commitment to driving positive change."