UVACCC Award Recipients
To address cancer-related health disparities across Virginia, UVA Comprehensive Community Grants provide community grants of up to $10,000 to nonprofits, local governments, hospitals and other community groups. Each application is rated according to the community impact, the feasibility of the project, and the ability to address cancer-related health disparities.
Our award recipients will have the opportunity to leverage the strengths of Virginia communities to address cancer burdens and advance health equity.
Award Recipients
Annually, COE distributes grants to community organizations to address the cancer burden in their own communities. The goal of the UVACCC Comprehensive Community Grants is to leverage the strengths of Virginia communities to address the cancer burden to help community members reach optimal health. Below is a snapshot of the innovative work from our past recipients.
Timeless Traditions Foundation – Weeds of Wellness Community Garden
Cancer Prevention
Creates accessible community garden plots in the Dry Fork area and surrounding communities to promote healthy eating and reduce cancer risk through cancer prevention workshops, screening awareness activities, and survivorship support.
Mountain States Health Alliance – Tobacco Prevention and Education in Rural and Underserved Counties
Tobacco Prevention
Builds on previous grant-supported work to expand tobacco education, outreach, and evidence-based cessation support into neighboring areas of Smyth and Russell counties with high tobacco use rates.
People Incorporated of Virginia – People Inc. CHIP of SWVA Cancer Prevention and Education Project
Cancer Prevention
Integrates cancer prevention education into CHIP’s established home-visiting model across SWVA by providing education on obesity-related cancer risks, nutrition, and physical activity.
Vance Street Missionary Baptist Church – Cutting Cancer Health Education and Promotion
Cancer Prevention
Builds on previous grant-related work by continuing cancer prevention-focused education to their existing exercise and nutrition programming through regular events, along with a navigation hub (in-person and digital), connecting residents to local health services.
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt – Colon Online On Land (COOL) 3.0
Colorectal Cancer
Builds on previous grant-related work by continuing in-person outreach and education efforts that encourage screening by developing a branded toolkit for community partners to extend awareness and outreach beyond the events that HCB2 can attend directly.
MLC Cancer Foundation – Let’s Talk About It: Know Your CANpaign
Breast and Colorectal Cancer
Aims to reduce disparities in breast and colon cancer awareness, early detection, and genetic risk in Black communities by offering in-person sessions in trusted community settings, including providing Cancer Conversations Kits with culturally relevant resources.
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry – Providing Healthy Food for Positive Health Outcomes
Cancer Disparities
Provided fresh, culturally familiar food and offered education to support healthy eating, especially for individuals with limited income, including people undergoing cancer treatment.
Outcomes: 2.6M+ pounds of groceries provided, 36K+ grocery carts packed, 6K+ unique households served
Mountain States Health Alliance – Smoking Prevention and Education in Critical Access Communities
Cancer Prevention
Expands tobacco education and cessation support in Lee and Dickenson Counties through outreach at Community Health Improvement sites and staff-led education efforts.
Outcomes: 703 cessation referrals, 231 cessation enrollments, 33 individuals successfully quit tobacco
West Virginia Health Right – Improving Rates of Cancer in West Virginia
Cancer Prevention and Early Detection
Delivers cancer screenings and prevention education across 34 counties, focusing on underserved populations. Also addresses obesity and tobacco use through lifestyle support programs.
Outcomes: 3K+ breast, cervical and colon screenings, 34 counties reached
Vance Street Missionary Baptist Church – Fighting Cancer One Step and One Meal at a Time
Cancer Prevention
Promotes cancer risk reduction in Danville through health education, movement-based activities, and nutrition programming tailored to the needs of the local community.
Outcomes: 72K+ physical activity minutes, 250K+ unique community members engaged
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt – Colon Online On Land (COOL) 2.0
Colorectal Cancer
Raises awareness about colorectal cancer through online and in-person outreach, encouraging timely screening and action, especially in underserved UVA communities.
Outcomes: 140K+ media reach, 2K+ miles traveled with branded travel trailer, 537 people educated, 13 CRC screening referrals
Hopecam
Health Equity
Connected 23 children in cancer treatment to peers through devices and internet access, established a new UVA Health Pediatric Oncology partnership, and achieved 100% positive impact on social connection and emotional well-being.
The Primary Care Partnership – WellAware Program
Health Disparities
Trained 2 CHWs, created 2 cancer education toolkits, educated 75+ residents, and referred 5 people to complete screenings while expanding community-centered cancer prevention support in Charlottesville.
Vance Street Missionary Baptist Church – Cutting Cancer
Early Cancer Detection
Reached 435 people through 2 events with 7 partners, doubled exercise participation, and provided culturally relevant cancer screening education and navigation in Danville.
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt – Colon Online on Land (COOL)
Colorectal Cancer
Reached 688+ people through 9 events, traveled 3,000+ miles with mobile screening messaging, and expanded digital engagement to boost colorectal cancer screening awareness statewide.
Yellow Door Foundation
Refurbished Maggie’s Place, the original apartment, and updated furnishings in 5 apartments to support ongoing renovations of free housing for families of pediatric cancer and transplant patients at UVA Health Children’s.
Mountain Empire Older Citizens
Nutrition in Survivorship
Provided dietary counseling to 40 cancer survivors. More than 85% made positive nutrition changes.
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt
Colorectal Cancer Education
Reached over 15,000 individuals through public service announcements. An additional 460 received one-on-one education at community events.
Cancer Action Coalition of Virginia
Survivorship
Engaged 40 expert members across the state and collected 70 responses through the Cancer Experience Registry to inform future efforts.
Charlottesville Free Clinic
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Implemented navigation support, resulting in a 70% return rate for FIT kits and doubling the screening compliance rate from 21% to 42%.
Virginia Rural Health Association
LGBTQ+ Screening Awareness
Hosted 2 provider trainings and reached more than 3,000 individuals with cancer screening messages through social media.