ECOG-ACRIN Spring Meeting: May 1-3, 2024 - Baltimore, MD

Alliance Spring Meeting: May 15-18, 2024 - Chicago, IL

NRG Summer Meeting: July 25-27, 2024 - Denver, CO

Newly Activated Studies

These studies have recently activated.

More information can be found on CTSU.

• A062102: Randomized Phase 2 Study of Iberdomide Maintenance Therapy Following Idecabtagene Vicleucel CAR-T in Multiple Myeloma Patients

• EAF223: Phase II Glioblastoma Accelerated Biomarkers Learning Environment Trial (GABLE)

Accruals, Biospecimens & Special Entries

CCDR Corner

All About AYAs

National Minority Health Month:

Bringing Awareness to Cancer Disparities

Every April, The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities – NIH division, along with the HHS Office of Minority Health, observes National Minority Health Month (NMHM) to raise awareness of the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations and reducing health disparities. Concerning cancer health disparities, April is also National Minority Cancer Awareness Month. Cancer health disparities disproportionately affect minority populations across the United States and globally. Research indicates that differences in cancer burden are evident by geography, race/ethnicity, genetic ancestry, immigration status, culture, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic class (Zavala et al., 2021). For example, patients from diverse backgrounds with low socioeconomic status may have living conditions that increase their cancer risk and cannot afford quality cancer care.

 To highlight the continuing challenges of dismantling cancer disparities and the urgent need to put action in place, the NCI recently featured an article on the NCI Cancer Currents Blog titled “From Awareness to Action: Putting Cancer Disparities in the Rearview Mirror” by Elia Ben-Air. The article begins with a story about a Hispanic patient’s journey to breast cancer treatment and how socioeconomic factors, language barriers, and lack of insurance coverage delayed the patient’s ability to receive treatment, and how digital engagement via social media led the patient to receive support and funding for her now aggressive breast cancer disease. 



Given the importance of increasing awareness regarding cancer health disparities, we, as an NCORP, understand the critical element of collaborating with community partnerships and stakeholders to tackle cancer disparities. Cancer centers can address the health equity gaps in cancer treatment, outcomes, and survivorship through community engagement and patient support programs.  

To read the full story about the patient’s journey to breast cancer treatment, and how you put action behind dismantling cancer health disparities, follow the button below. 

 Image Source: FDA

Pictured above: Vikas Dembla MD, Kamara Mertz-Rivera, Heather Rich, Melyssa Foust, Alaina Kennedy, Jetta Turner, Jeremy Kilburn MD.

Pictured above (left to right): Jeremy Kilburn MD, Howland Crosswell MD, Vikas Dembla MD

UC-NCORP was well-represented at the SWOG Annual Meeting held in Seattle, WA. Kamara Mertz-Rivera, Upstate Carolina Director, participated in the Take Action Symposium. The focus of the Take Action Symposium this spring was LGBTQ+, Ensuring Equity in Clinical Research.

Pictured above: Kamara Mertz-Rivera

Kamara Mertz-Rivera at the Take Action Symposium presented by the SWOG Recruitment and Retention Committee

During the SWOG Annual Meeting earlier this month, Upstate Carolina Director, Kamara Mertz-Rivera organized a screening of the film "Trans Dudes With Lady Cancer" as a special encore to the Take Action Symposium. The documentary sheds light on the challenges Brooks Nelson and Yee Won Chong faced during their respective cancer battles. Brooks and Yee Won, lifelong friends, both identify as trans-masculine and were diagnosed with cancers commonly associated with females within the same month. 

Follow the link below to learn more about the story of Brooks and Yee Won.

Do you have any staff you would like highlighted in The Connector?

Please submit it by the 15^th of the month to Jetta: Jturner@gibbscc.org

Administrator

Kamara Mertz-Rivera, MA, CCRC

Email: UpstateNCORP@srhs.com

Phone: 864-560-6104

eRegulatory Systems

Laura Bailey, BS, CCRP

Email: UpstateNCORPRegulatory@srhs.com

Phone: 864-560-6954

Regulatory

Josh Acuna, MPH

Email: UpstateNCORPRegulatory@srhs.com

Phone: 864-530-6523

AYA Coordinator

Mason McKinney, MS

Email: mason_mckinney@bshsi.org

Phone: 864-603-6200

Grant Manager

Alex Akkary, MBA

Email: UpstateNCORPFinance@srhs.com

Phone: 864-560-6967



Quality Assurance

Sahra Khan & Jessica Michael

Email: UpstateNCORPQA@srhs.com

Phone: 864-530-6510

CCDR Director

Melyssa Foust, MSN, RN, OCN

Email: UpstateNCORPCCDR@srhs.com

Phone: 864-560-1035

Community & Social Media 

Jetta Turner, BA

Email: Jturner@gibbscc.org

Phone: 864-530-6531