2025 REACH Community Grant Award
Celebrating the Recipients of the LCI REACH Grant: Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Foundation and The White Ribbon Project
Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 REACH Grant: Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Foundation and The White Ribbon Project. These two outstanding organizations will each receive a $10,000 grant to implement impactful programs to improve lung cancer awareness, care access, and health equity within their communities.
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Foundation
Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Foundation, based in Winston-Salem, NC, has been recognized for its initiative, “Bridging Gaps: Enhancing Social Needs Support for Lung Cancer Patients.” This program will address critical barriers that lung cancer patients face, including transportation, financial hardships, and food insecurity.
Project highlights include:
- Providing financial assistance for underinsured and uninsured patients to access the 12-week pulmonary rehabilitation program
- Offering transportation services for patients requiring support to attend rehabilitation appointments
- Delivering emergency food boxes to address food insecurity among lung cancer patients
By integrating these supportive services, Novant Health aims to enhance long-term recovery and quality of life for patients undergoing or completing lung cancer treatment.
The White Ribbon Project
The White Ribbon Project has been awarded the grant for its program, “Raising Lung Cancer Awareness Within the American Indian Community of North Carolina Through Existing Community Gatherings.” Founded by lung cancer survivor Heidi Nafman-Onda and her husband Pierre, the organization has transformed lung cancer awareness into a global movement.
Key initiatives of this project include:
- Hosting a dedicated booth at the Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration in Raleigh, NC, during Lung Cancer Awareness Month
- Providing screening eligibility assessments, smoking cessation resources, and personalized health guidance
- Distributing culturally tailored educational materials to ensure the outreach resonates with the community
This collaboration between The White Ribbon Project, Southeastern American Indian Cancer Health Equity Partnership, and UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center emphasizes the need for inclusive, stigma-free care and awareness.
About the REACH Grant
The REACH Community Grant Program annually awards up to three $10,000 grants to support community-based organizations and non-profit institutions in their collaborative efforts to holistically assist the entire lung cancer community, particularly those who are uninsured, underinsured, and most impacted. Formerly the Access Grant program, this program began in 2016 and has collectively awarded more than $200,000 to 17 community organizations. The REACH Community Grant Program funds the creation of new programs or expansion of existing programs that reach a community with demonstrated need, promote lung cancer education and awareness, improve access to care, support complementary healthcare, or advance health equity for North Carolinians.
A Shared Mission: Advancing Lung Cancer Equity
Both recipients embody LCI’s commitment to fostering innovation, addressing disparities, and improving outcomes for lung cancer patients. These programs not only provide essential resources but also empower communities with knowledge and support to navigate their lung cancer journeys.
We congratulate Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center Foundation and The White Ribbon Project for their dedication to creating lasting change. Stay tuned for updates on their initiatives and the impact they will undoubtedly make!