Together For Cancer

Brief Overview: This walk brings together the Pittsburgh community to promote racial health equity. We walk together to support equity in health care access and outcomes and to bring attention to the important role that neighbors must play in the strengthening of our community. Proceeds benefit Ubuntu Pittsburgh, a medical doula service supporting those in cancer treatment through evidence based practices that promote improved health outcomes for Black women in Pittsburgh and the African American Support Group, currently hosted by Cheryl Harris. Details: In Western Pennsylvania, Black women are much more likely to die from breast cancer than their white counterparts. The mortality rates for Black women is 36.3/100,000 whereas it is 20.8/100,000 for White women. Researchers, like Margaret Rosenzweig, Ph.D., have determined that the racial disparities are most impactful after diagnosis and during the treatment period. Over her career, she has studied this issue and her findings, which are cornerstones of the evidence base for racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes in Allegheny County, led to the creation of Ubuntu Pittsburgh to provide evidence-based support to address this devastating statistic. Ubuntu, an African concept, is the sense that the community must surround and support the patient and family with advanced illness. The “Ubuntu – Pittsburgh” Program (UPP) is a program of support specifically for Black female patients with advanced cancer. Utilizing Folkman’s Theoretical Model for Stress and Coping, the goals of UPP are to: 1) provide a community-based, trained companion to journey alongside the Black female patient and family living with advanced cancer to assist with stress and coping of advanced illness; to 2) provide and facilitate practical support, 3) to build legacy, and 4) to provide connection and support for the family/friends. The funds support training resources for the companions (called doulas in the Ubuntu model). Cheryl Harris, provides a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who has been impacted by cancer through her group facilitation. Cheryl facilitates the “African American Cancer Support Group” currently located at Cancer Bridges. The funds will support the group, all current cancer patients or those who are in remission, to obtain guest speakers, to address barriers to attendance, and other necessary materials supporting women in cancer treatment with the many financial hardships presented by living with a debilitating medical issue. These funds are budgeted with CHEC to provide access to supports that are not typically covered by insurance or other benefits typically available to women in cancer treatment. Benefits of Sponsorship There isn’t any labor fee/overhead cost for this event; the only costs are for materials at the event. 100% of proceeds go to Ubuntu Pittsburgh and Cheryl Harris for the African American Cancer Support Group. Accounting records available to demonstrate CHECs commitment to 100% of all funds being passed through to Ubuntu and Cheryl. All labor is volunteer and gratis (marketing, organizing, administrative is all gratis via CHEC) Sponsorship Information: Your sponsorship underscores your organization’s investment in health equity in the Pittsburgh region. Your organization’s name on will be listed on all informational flyers shared on social media. Your organizations name will be on the walk banner (to be hung at event). Tabling at the event provided (if desired by sponsor) Full disclosure: CHEC (culturalhumility.com) is an LLC. This means that your donation is not tax deductible.