The CaRE2-COC engagement model trained 150 ambassadors and 80 community scientists, reaching over 5,000 community members to improve cancer screening knowledge and research literacy.
A community engagement model involving patients and survivors as partners successfully trained community scientists and expanded outreach to reduce cancer disparities in low-income communities.
Abstract Introduction: Cancer deaths from prostate, lung, and pancreatic cancers remain highest in low-income communities. Survivors and caregivers report that these losses stem not only from disease, but from gaps in communication, trust, access, and culturally relevant information. Their lived experiences are essential for shaping solutions. The CaRE2 Health Center views patients and survivors as partners whose insights ensure scientific progress reaches those most affected. Procedures: To elevate patient leadership, the CaRE2 Community Outreach Core (CaRE2-COC) uses an engagement model guided by a Florida-California Tri-Institutional Community Advisory Committee (CAC). The 13-member CAC—largely survivors and caregivers—meets quarterly to set priorities and ensure research reflects patient needs. Two training programs, the Community Supporters Academy (CSA) and the 10-week Community Scientists Research Academy (CSRA), build cancer knowledge, research literacy, and advocacy skills so participants can guide research and engage others. They co-create culturally tailored materials distributed at community events and online. A Community Contact Registry tracks willingness to join research, clinical trials, and biospecimen donation; low biospecimen comfort prompted creation of a patient-friendly biorepository video. Partnerships, a podcast, and public events expand opportunities for survivors to share stories and access information. Results: The CAC ensures patient and survivor perspectives guide CaRE2-COC programs. Since 2019, the CSA has trained 150 ambassadors, and 80 community scientists completed the CSRA with stipends to lead local projects. Pre/post assessments show gains including increased confidence engaging other survivors and improved cancer-screening knowledge. A Cancer Community Conference reached 527 participants, and 5,000 community members received tailored educational materials. Registry data show strong willingness to complete surveys but lower biospecimen comfort, reinforcing education needs. The survivor-story podcast reached 240 listeners, and social media engagement exceeded 28,000 impressions. Events such as an Orlando Magic partnership brought cancer information into trusted community spaces. Conclusions: CaRE2-COC strengthens patient, survivor, and community leadership by ensuring their experiences guide communication and research priorities. By training trusted influencers and embedding engagement into screening, prevention, and research, CaRE2-COC builds stronger community-academic partnerships, increases research participation, and advances its mission to reduce cancer burdens in California and Florida. Citation Format: Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Sandra Suther, Fern Webb, John Luque, Jennifer Tsui, Carolina Aristizabal, Brooke Vintilla, IIeana Guzman, Eduardo Ibarra, Rosa Barahona, Janet Rodriguez, Pastor Rhonda Holbert, Mariana C. Stern. Optimization of outreach and engagement of patients/survivors and community supporters to reduce the cancer burden abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 6362.
Baezconde-Garbanati et al. (2026) studied Cancer. CaRE2 Community Outreach Core (CaRE2-COC) engagement model was evaluated. The CaRE2-COC engagement model trained 150 ambassadors and 80 community scientists, reaching over 5,000 community members to improve cancer screening knowledge and research literacy.