Community Outreach and Engagement at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center

09/25/2025

A collaboration among Fort Wayne Pride, To***co Free Allen County, and the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement aimed to tackle a critical issue: the high rates of to***co use among LGBTQ+ individuals.

LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately targeted by the to***co industry and face increased risks for cancer and other health conditions. To address this, community-centered social media campaigns reached nearly 5,000 people with lung cancer screening and quitting resources specifically tailored for the LGBTQ+ community.

This work also led to the creation of “Take PRIDE in Your Health,” Fort Wayne’s first health fair dedicated exclusively to LGBTQ+ individuals, with 30+ vendors and over 100 attendees. The event created a welcoming, inclusive space for health education and support, showing the power of collaboration and culturally responsive outreach to reduce cancer risk and connect people with the care and information they deserve.

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09/23/2025

This month's Simon Says Expert Series session—SPF—UVA—UVB—OMG! Making Sense of Sunscreen—will be at 1:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, September 30. Submit your questions and register now: https://ow.ly/qq7G50X0tva.

Skin cancer is the most common — and most preventable — cancer in the U.S. Yet with so much conflicting information about sun protection, it’s hard to know what’s fact and what’s fiction.

In this session, Jiali Han, PhD, a world-renowned epidemiologist of skin cancer, shares the science behind SPF, and both UVA and UVB rays, how to choose and use sunscreen effectively, and other proven ways to protect your skin. We’ll also explore how sun exposure impacts skin cancer risk and what steps you can take to stay safe year-round.

Moderated by Outrun the Sun, Indiana’s only nonprofit dedicated exclusively to skin cancer education and melanoma research, this webinar offers practical, expert-backed strategies to keep your skin healthy and protected.

09/22/2025

Meet Susanna Crane, our Administrative Generalist Coordinator on ! With more than 23 years of administrative experience, Susanna brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to service. Susanna is known for her keen attention to detail, excellent organizational skills, and ability to foster clear communication and collaboration across teams and with our community partners, which has made her an invaluable asset to our team.

Outside of her professional role, Susanna is passionate about mental health advocacy. She has served as a Family-to-Family teacher with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, helping caregivers and families better understand and support loved ones living with mental illness. Today, she continues this work through volunteer service at Riley Children’s Hospital, where she shares free mental health resources with families and visitors.

Her dedication to both her team and her community exemplifies the mission of COE to create meaningful connections and promote quality health outcomes across Indiana.

06/18/2025

This month's Simon Says Expert Series session—Your health playbook: Cancer screening and prevention tips for men—will be at 3 p.m. ET Monday, June 30. Submit your questions and register now: https://ow.ly/Iu9950WanBt.

Taking charge of your health starts with knowing when and how to get screened. In this session, Nasser Hanna, MD, shares essential tips on cancer screening and prevention tailored for men. From understanding risk factors to lifestyle changes that make a difference, learn practical steps to help detect cancer early and stay healthy. Whether you’re focused on prevention or a caregiver supporting a loved one, this session will provide expert guidance to empower you on your health journey.

05/13/2025

At All-Star Cure, the real assists come off the court.

Partnering with the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and Komen Tissue Bank at IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, up to 500 women will be able to step up — not to shoot, but to donate healthy breast tissue for lifesaving research. Each donation plays a critical role in the fight against breast cancer, helping researchers compare and contrast healthy and cancerous breast tissue to get a better understanding of how the disease operates and mutates.

This is what a game-changing defense against breast cancer looks like.

🔗https://news.iu.edu/live/news/45476-all-star-cure-seeks-breast-tissue-donors-the

03/07/2025

02/18/2025

This month's Simon Says Expert Series session -- CompleteLife: How supportive therapies can benefit our patients -- will be at 12 p.m. ET Thursday, Feb. 27. Submit your questions and register now: http://go.iu.edu/8sqy.

While the medical community has made substantial advances in the treatment of cancer during the 21st century, the psychosocial implications of a cancer diagnosis sometimes remain unaddressed. Meanwhile, there is increasing evidence for the effectiveness of creative arts and adjunct therapy support programs in addressing cancer needs beyond medication and improving health outcomes and quality of life.

In this Simon Says session, the CompleteLife supportive therapies team will take you through a patient’s journey while illustrating the interventions they can provide patients and how that can physically, emotionally and spiritually improve the outcomes for the patient and their loved ones.

02/17/2025

Join us for an evening of celebration and wellness on Friday, Feb. 28 at the Madam Walker Legacy Center. The event includes performances, panel discussions, vendor booths, and more.

This free event is open to the public. Register by Friday, Feb. 14: https://go.iu.edu/empowering-black-health.

02/10/2025

February is . According to the American Cancer Society, experts predict more than 42,000 new cancer cases in Indiana in 2025. The good news? More than 40% of these cases can be prevented.

Small changes can make a big impact:
✅ Quit to***co
✅ Stay active and maintain a healthy weight
✅ Protect your skin from the sun
✅ Get recommended screenings and vaccines

Prevention starts with you! Learn more: bit.ly/3Oz7sSN

02/06/2025

Calling all healthcare professionals!

Stay ahead of lung cancer care by attending the Lung Cancer ECHO Series, a free virtual learning opportunity where you'll explore evidence-based strategies for prevention, screening, treatment, and survivorship care.

The Lung Cancer ECHO meets online via Zoom, 12 - 1 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.

Register today: bit.ly/4aNHPqu.

Our Lung Cancer ECHO series launches next week! Our first didactic will be 'What Part You Play in the Cancer Control Plan." The Lung Cancer ECHO will meet online via Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 12:00 - 1:00 pm ET.
New to the program? You can register for the program here: https://is.gd/join_echo
Learn more about the Cancer ECHO: https://fairbanks.indianapolis.iu.edu/research-centers/centers/ECHO/echo-programs/cancer-echo.html

02/04/2025

Today is —a day to come together, raise awareness, and take action in the fight against cancer. At IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, we’re committed to saving lives through research and education. Together, we can create a world with less cancer and more hope.