Press Releases
- For Immediate Release
August 17, 2011 - McAllen, TX - For more information, contact
Ellen Read (512) 305-8483
CPRIT HELPING SOUTH TEXANS REDUCE CANCER RISK, INCREASE EARLY DETECTION OF THE DEADLY DISEASE
With their region having one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the state, South Texas residents will soon find themselves with new resources for navigating and accessing cancer screening and prevention services as a result of projects funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).
CPRIT is helping educate South Texans about cancer prevention, as well as providing them with better access to cancer screening and other preventive services, through $7.5 million in cancer prevention grants that were praised by South Texas legislators and community leaders at presentations on August 17, 2011, in Pearsall and McAllen. CPRIT currently provides funding for 13 cancer prevention projects covering South Texas. The check presentations not only recognized CPRIT’s total investment in these projects but also highlighted projects that have been awarded to South Texas Rural Health Services and McAllen’s El Milagro Clinic.
South Texas Rural Health Services’ project seeks to make it easier for low-income women to participate in no-cost breast and cervical cancer screening and prevention services by providing assistance with appointment scheduling and transportation.
Picture Left to Right: Mr. Alfredo Zamora (South Texas Rural Health Services, Inc.), Rep. Tracy King, Mr. Jorge Botello (South Texas Rural Health Services, Inc.), Ms. Theressa Lyons (Migrant Clinicians Network), Dr. Becky Garcia (CPRIT), Mr. Jimmy Mansour (CPRIT Oversight Committee), Ms. Kelsey Hill (Texas AgriLife Extension Service), Mr. Bill Gimson (CPRIT).
The El Milagro Clinic project combines evidence-based prevention education programs and clinic services – such as breast and cervical cancer screening -- using promotoras (community health workers) to reach medically isolated colonias and underserved groups in the lower Rio Grande Valley.
Pictured Left to Right: Rep. Sergio Munoz, Rep. Ryan Guillen, Mr. Bill Gimson (CPRIT), Rep. Veronica Gonzales, Mr. Jimmy Mansour (CPRIT Oversight Committee), Ms. Grace Lawson (El Milagro Clinic), Dr. Becky Garcia (CPRIT), Mr. Hari Namboodiri (El Milagro Clinic Board), Ms. Melba Trevino (El Milagro Clinic Board), Sen. Juan Hinojosa.
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