Mary's Center Gets Health Equity Grant Focused on Prostate Cancer

The American Cancer Society and Pfizer Global Medical Grants are collaborating and have awarded a new grant of $250,000 to Mary’s Center focused on addressing prostate cancer disparities impacting Black men in Washington, DC, and Prince George’s County, Maryland. Funded by Pfizer Global Medical Grants and overseen by the American Cancer Society, the program is aimed at reducing gaps in care and barriers to treatment, and was awarded through a competitive selection process. The grant will enable Mary’s Center to bring access to prostate cancer screening directly to Black men in the DC area by providing convenient services in neighborhood community centers close to where they live and work. The program begins April 1, 2021 and runs through March 31, 2023.

Cancer is a disease that affects everyone, but it doesn’t affect everyone equally. According to the American Cancer Society, Blacks experience more illness, worse outcomes, and premature death compared to whites in the U.S. Further, Black people have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial/ethnic group in the U.S. for most cancers. Black men also have the highest overall cancer incidence. Many factors significantly impact a person's ability to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer. Factors like a person's income, education, their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, their disability status, or where they live, work, and play can affect the choices a person makes, but more importantly can affect a person's opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

“Thanks to this funding, Mary’s Center will be able to expand facilitated telehealth and implement pop-up visits at various community centers and organizations in the DC area. We will provide prostate cancer education, navigation and access to prostate cancer screenings to enable Black men to make the most appropriate screening decisions. This ease of access will help overcome barriers to care for Black men by bringing screening directly into their communities,” said Rosa Goyes, director of Community Health at Mary’s Center.

About The American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is attacking cancer from every angle. The Society does not endorse any product or service. For more information, go to www.cancer.org.

About Mary’s Center

Mary’s Center is a community health center serving over 60,000 people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds in the Washington, DC metro area for over 30 years. With an integrated model of health care, education, and social services, Mary’s Center offers each participant individualized care on the path toward good health, stability, and economic independence. For more information, visit www.maryscenter.org.