REACH Community Grant Award

REACH Community Grant Award

January 24, 2024 

(Raleigh, NC) Lung Cancer Initiative is pleased to announce that Cone Health, Kinston Community Health Center, Inc., and Crystal Coast Rehab Center have been awarded $10,000 each as part of the REACH Community Grant program. The REACH grant program awards funding 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.

“So many organizations across the state are doing important work that furthers access to resources and support in their communities,” said Paige Humble, Chief Executive Officer.  “We are honored to be a part of three local projects and look forward to learning and sharing best practices from their efforts with other communities.”   

Grant Recipients:

Cone Health 

Through the REACH grant, Cone Health seeks to analyze the economic and health care disparity impact within a community with high incidence of lung cancer.  Cone Health’s project will allow them to partner with local programs to offer low-dose computed tomography (CT)  lung cancer screening to the under- and uninsured patient population. They will then analyze the economic impact of their health system’s patient pathways through coordination, education, screening, diagnosis, and treatment with real-world data. 

“This work aligns with our mission for building healthy communities; because here at Cone Health we are ‘right here with you,’” said Bradley Icard, DO, Cone Health.  

Cone Health is a non-profit healthcare network serving the people in Alamance, Forsyth, Guilford, Randolph, Rockingham, and other surrounding counties. Their vision as an organization is a tradition of health and well-being being woven through the fabric of their community

Kinston Community Health Center, Inc. 

Kinston Community Health Center (KCHC) will be using the grant funds to increase lung cancer screening rates in 2024. By providing patient education, provider/staff education, patient incentives, and supplementing the cost of screenings for eligible patients. KCHC will also be collaborating with the American Cancer Society and UNC Lenoir Cancer Center by offering two separate screening events to the community. 

“Kinston Community Health Center is excited to be receiving the 2024 REACH Community Grant through Lung Cancer Initiative,” said Suzanne Freeman, CEO KCHC. “The grant funding will support eligible health center patients with the costs of completing lung cancer screenings. We look forward to the progress the grant funding will bring to this project.”

Located in Kinston, NC, KCHC is dedicated to delivering quality services at the highest level of primary and preventative healthcare. The goal of the KCHC is to contribute to the vibrant community by providing new opportunities that are cost-effective and related to quality healthcare services and wellness programs. 

Crystal Coast Rehab Center

The main goal of Crystal Coast Cancer Rehab Center (CCCRC) is to increase the quality of life through rehabilitation. This grant will enable CCRC to administer a customized exercise therapy program conducted by credentialed cancer exercise specialists in a one-on-one environment to eight lung cancer patients. Exercise therapy provides the opportunity for Lung Cancer survivors to fight cancer more efficiently and increase  quality of life, such as improving fatigue, mood, reduction in muscle mass with weight loss, along with other life altering side effects.

“Our team is filled with gratitude to receive Lung Cancer Initiative’s award for 2024 knowing the support ensures another year for our program to grow, thrive, and change lives,” said Jayme Limbaugh, Founder and CEO CCCRC. “Together, we’re making a lasting impact, and this award will propel us forward with the resources and determination needed to continue to create positive change in our coastal communities.”  

Crystal Coast Cancer Rehab Center is a non-profit program, created in 2018 by Limbaugh in memory of her grandmother, Virginia Jayne,  who fought breast cancer in 1989 before passing away. With the pain of losing her grandmother, Jayme founded the CCCRC  solely to help cancer survivors in any stage of their diagnosis or recovery. 

 

About the REACH Grant

The REACH grant program began in 2016 and has collectively awarded $181,984 to 16 different community-based organizations across North Carolina.  The program aims to empower and support community organizations to fill a gap in lung cancer care within their local communities with the following areas of focus:

  • Reaching communities with demonstrated need
  • Education and awareness
  • Access to care
  • Complementary Healthcare
  • Health equity

For more information and to learn more about how to apply, visit LCI’s website.

About Lung Cancer Initiative

As a leading non-profit supporting lung cancer research and education in North Carolina and beyond, Lung Cancer Initiative specializes in connecting patients, survivors, and loved ones with the medical and research community. The organization’s mission is to advance survivorship and provide support to those affected by lung cancer through research, education, and access programs. For more information and to learn about ways to get involved, please visit www.LungCancerInitiative.org.

 

More News