FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
General
What is the Consortium?
The Iowa Cancer Consortium, or Consortium, is Iowa’s statewide comprehensive cancer coalition. The Consortium’s purpose is to reduce the burden of cancer by promoting evidence-based action steps (outlined within the Iowa Cancer Plan) related to cancer prevention, early-detection/screening, treatment, quality of life and health equity.
What does the Consortium do?
We bring stakeholders together around a common vision, the Iowa Cancer Plan, to support work to reduce the burden of cancer. The Iowa Cancer Consortium strives to:
- Establish and grow partnerships between individuals/organizations.
- Provide a neutral setting for agencies to work together towards common goals.
- Leverage state funds to fullest extent by using the expertise of stakeholders and members.
- Provide technical assistance and capacity building for local cancer control work.
- Provide funding through a competitive grants process to programs and projects. that advance priorities within the Iowa Cancer Plan.
- Provide free or reduced-cost cancer control materials and trainings within the state of Iowa.
- Host Iowa’s only statewide comprehensive cancer control conference, the Iowa Cancer Summit.
What is comprehensive cancer control?
Comprehensive cancer control is a collaborative process where the community combines resources to reduce the burden of cancer by working to prevent cancer from occurring; find it in its earliest stages; improve the accessibility, availability and quality of cancer treatment services and programs; and enhance optimal quality of life for people impacted by cancer.
Is the Iowa Cancer Consortium affiliated with any one political party?
No, the Iowa Cancer Consortium is a non-partisan organization.
How is the Consortium organized?
Here is our Organizational Chart:
Can you do a presentation about a specific cancer topic?
Yes! And if we cannot, we have an entire network of cancer control stakeholders that we can reach out to in order to find the best speaker to fit your needs.
Organizational
How are you funded?
The Iowa Cancer Consortium is a non-profit organization, funded primarily through a state appropriation granted from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, as well as a number of outside grants and contracts.
Where are you located?
The Iowa Cancer Consortium offices are located in Coralville, Iowa as part of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center.
The mailing address is:
Iowa Cancer ConsortiumPO Box 859North Liberty, IA 52317-0859
When are the grants available?
The annual invitation for proposals (IFP) process is typically open March-May, with grants awarded and project periods starting in July. However, this depends largely on funding.
How do I sign-up for the newsletter?
Enter your contact information here.
I have a cancer story that I would like to share, who can I contact?
Please contact Rachel at [email protected].
Do you accept interns or practicum students?
Yes! We have hosted both undergraduate and graduate students for their credit internship and practicum programs. If you are interested, please take a moment to send us your information, including a copy of your resume, anticipated dates of internship, and area of the cancer plan that you are most interested in to [email protected].
Note: We will contact you about your application. Placement is not guaranteed.
Health Equity
What is health equity?
Health equity means increasing opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible, no matter who we are, where we live, or how much money we make. Learn more about health equity from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation here.
I am a person of color, and want to get involved. What opportunities do you have for me?
There is a place at the table for all who are interested in cancer control topics, especially persons of color and other minority groups. Please call our office at 319-335-8144 or e-mail [email protected] to discuss your needs and opportunities available.
What disparities exist in Iowa related to cancer?
The interactive Iowa cancer data tool allows users to compute case counts, incidence and mortality rates for specific cancer sites by year of diagnosis, age, gender, race and county. The data can be displayed in tabular form, or through maps and charts. View Data
Additionally, the Health Equity workgroup meets and shares resources on health disparities and health equity. To learn more, please contact 319-384-1741 or [email protected].
Where can I find health data to identify disparities in my community?
The interactive Iowa cancer data tool allows users to compute case counts, incidence and mortality rates for specific cancer sites by year of diagnosis, age, gender, race and county. The data can be displayed in tabular form, or through maps and charts. View Data
I am confused by pronouns, where can I read more?
Pronouns are the linguistic tools that we use to refer to people. For example: they/them/theirs, she/her/hers, he/him/his. Check out this resource from the LGBTQIA Resource Center at UC Davis, which nicely outlines possible pronouns, phrases to ask for someone’s pronouns, and ways to make language more inclusive. View Here
Where can I learn more?
Learn more about why health equity matters from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. View Here
Donations and Membership
How can I make a donation?
Yes! Click here to make a donation.
How do I become a member?
To become a member, visit us here to fill out the application.
How involved do I have to be?
Your involvement level is completely up to you! You will receive regular e-communications from the Consortium and be invited to participate in both virtual and in-person meetings.
If I can’t afford a membership, can I still participate?
Yes! If you would like to become a member, but do not have the funds, please do not be discouraged. Please contact [email protected] and ask about membership scholarships.
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?
We are eager to connect you with information about resources and contacts appropriate to your needs. Drop us a line and we will be in contact shortly.