HealthLink & Action Councils
Michigan Cancer HealthLink is a statewide network created to build research capacity in diverse communities. HealthLink brings together community members and cancer researchers to develop research ideas as well as educational and service-based programs. If community members and researchers work together, targeted research and programming can be developed to improve a wide range of cancer outcomes in our area.
At the heart of Michigan Cancer HealthLink are the Cancer Action Councils (CACs). CACs are groups made up of community members and representatives from community-based organizations who apply their knowledge about local cancer issues to improving the lives of cancer patients, survivors and caregivers in their communities. CAC members are actively engaged in their communities and are working to create healthier neighborhoods.
What do CACs do?
- Learn more about the ways in which cancer affects communities In Michigan.
- Participate in conversations with cancer researchers about research that can benefit communities.
- Gain skills in partnering with cancer researchers to develop and fund projects and programs.
- Address cancer-related health needs in their communities.
- Set priorities for future cancer care research and funding
- Improve access to cancer care.
LGBT CAC
Detroit LGBT CAC is working on a caregiving project as it relates to the LGBTQ community.
Black Men's CAC
Black Men’s CAC is currently in their first year which means they are completing the Building Your Capacity Curriculum, which teaches lay populations about research. They will also develop research questions based on their cancer concerns and will conduct two Town Hall meetings regarding their future research direction.
Western Wayne CAC
Western Wayne is in their fourth year and will be working with research Dr. Jannel Allen, as she seeks to develop a project around Colorectal Cancer Screening.
ACCESS - Dearborn CAC
ACCESS Community CAC is working on project to interview the Arabic community about the subject of Financial Toxicity of Cancer in their community.
Connor Creek
Conner Creek just completed a Focus Group on caregiving and working on a funded intervention on cancer survivorship and caregiving.
Macomb County CAC
Mount Clemens/Macomb County CAC, is in their second year and are working on sharing their research questions with the community. They also want to develop cancer resource guide for the Macomb County community.
Metro Flint/Genesee CountyCAC
Ebenezer Ministries/Flint/ Genesee County CAC, is in their second year and is currently working on survey questions and possible focus group around COVID-19 and cancer in the Flint community.
Oakland County CAC
Oakland County CAC is meeting for the second year and are preparing to share their research questions with the Oakland County Community. They are interested in developing a cancer patient prompt list.
Apply to a CAC
You can apply online for all CACs here.
Download an application form here.
For more information call Knoll Larkin at 313-576-9691 or email at larkink@karmanos.org.