National Minority Quality Forum and National and Local Health Partners Provide Free Cancer Screenings and Promote Education at Annual Flint Northern High School Reunion Tailgate

National Minority Quality Forum and partners promote lung cancer and breast cancer screening to thousands in Flint, Michigan as part of Cancer Moonshot Initiative.

FLINT, M.I. (August 26, 2023) — After four year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Flint Northern High School Class Reunion Tailgate returned on Saturday to host thousands of alumni and Flint residents as well as a cancer screening and health fair by the National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF).

NMQF, a national nonprofit leading the Cancer Stage Shifting Initiative aligned with President Joe Biden’s Cancer Moonshot 2.0, worked with national and local health partners to bring resources and raise awareness of the importance of early screening and detection of cancer to save lives. The initiative launched last year is dedicated to moving medical standards in the country from late-stage to early-stage detection, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

“NMQF’s Cancer Stage Shifting Initiative is all about going hyperlocal to the community level to bring earlier detection of cancer and provide access to critical resources,” said Dr. Gary Puckrein, President and CEO of the National Minority Quality Forum. “We’re excited to be back in Flint and our continued growing relationship with the Flint community.”

Genentech, a California-based biotechnology company known for developing the first targeted antibody for cancer, supported the community event and hosted a booth exhibit with a large inflatable lung installation that included important information about lung cancer screening as well as pamphlets featuring the Love Letter campaign designed to encourage women to get screened through love letters.

Juny Simpson, Head of Health Equity at Genentech, gave remarks alongside Hayley Brown of TOUCH – Black Breast Cancer Alliance about the importance of early breast cancer screening and improving diversity in clinical trial participation.

In addition to educational presentations on early colorectal cancer screening and lung cancer screening/treatment, local hospitals provided fair attendees with clinical breast examinations, lung cancer risk assessments, vision screenings, COVID vaccinations, and general health screenings.

“Most of the breast cancer diagnoses these days come from screening mammograms and we need to do a better job at helping people in our community, to help them access the same care,” said Dr. Orimisan S. Adekolujo, a medical oncologist with the Karmanos Cancer Institute at McLaren Flint who provided consultations at the fair.

Last year, Flint advocates raised concerns about reported patterns of cancer and called for resources to respond to community needs. Lung cancer, breast cancer, colorectal cancer are leading causes of cancer deaths in Michigan. Genesee County, in particular, has one of the highest incidences of lung cancer in the state.

In response, NMQF announced the organization would support efforts to increase cancer screening for at-risk communities in Flint, Michigan, community-based engagement to increase awareness of cancer risk and treatment, improve clinical trial diversity as well as understand the impact of the water crisis on cancer risk in the community.

Other partners present at the fair included:
Exact Sciences Corporation, Meridian of Michigan, McLaren Flint Hospital, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Hamilton Community Health Network, St. Mark Community Outreach Center, Michigan United, Genesee County Health, MI-CARES, MiGHT, Lungevity, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Tigerlily Foundation and Touch4Life.

A free bag of food produce compliments of the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan were given to attendees who participated in screening evaluations.

About National Minority Quality Forum
The National Minority Quality Forum (NMQF) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research and advocacy organization based in Washington, DC. The mission of NMQF is to reduce patient risk by assuring optimal care for all. NMQF’s vision is an American health services research, delivery and financing system whose operating principle is to reduce patient risk for amenable morbidity and mortality while improving quality of life. For more information, please visit www.nmqf.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact
Adjoa Kyerematen
akyerematen@nmqf.org
202-220-8505