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.
Past 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.
Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry – Providing Healthy Food for Positive Health Outcomes
Cancer Disparities
Aims to improve health for individuals with limited income by providing fresh, culturally familiar food and offering education to support healthy eating, especially for those undergoing cancer treatment.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Hopecam
Health Equity
Aims to reduce social isolation for children undergoing cancer treatment by providing devices and internet access so they can stay connected to classmates and peers.
The Primary Care Partnership – WellAware Program
Health Disparities
Works to increase community engagement in cancer prevention and care by offering transportation, home visits, food access, health coaching, and outreach services in Charlottesville.
Vance Street Missionary Baptist Church – Cutting Cancer
Early Cancer Detection
Promotes the importance of early cancer detection through culturally relevant conversations, screening education, and resource navigation in the Danville community.
Hitting Cancer Below the Belt – Colon Online on Land (COOL)
Colorectal Cancer
Seeks to increase awareness and uptake of colorectal cancer screening through a statewide campaign using digital platforms, community events, and mobile outreach.
Yellow Door Foundation
Health Disparities
Plans to renovate apartments that provide free housing for families of pediatric cancer and transplant patients receiving treatment 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.