www.swgacancer.org 1

Annual Report 2010

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W e are pleased to present our 2010 Annual Report, a testimony of our accomplishments and purpose: fighting cancer in every corner of southwest Georgia.

As detailed in this report, we save lives and healthcare dollars by lowering cancer risks and finding cancer early… support local

professional excellence… promote healthy communities through public education and wellness… search for answers through research…

help local patients receive critical assistance… and reduce the unequal burden of cancer in our region. 100% of our funding stays in

southwest Georgia and 100% of our efforts benefit the people of our region.

We are grateful for the extraordinary leadership and many enthusiastic partners of the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition,

and we invite others to join with us in fighting cancer… right here, right now.

Our Mission The Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition

coordinates, facilitates and supports cancer control efforts throughout the region

to ensure southwest Georgians have access to the highest quality cancer education,

prevention, screening, treatment and research.

Our Vision To be a national model

of rural comprehensive cancer control

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Our Story

In 2010, more than 15,000 men and women in Georgia

were expected to die of cancer.

That’s 40 people every day… two people every hour.

Nearly everyone in southwest Georgia has been affected by cancer.

The goal of the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, unchanged since 2002, is to lessen suffering from cancer in our area. The organization came

into being, and continues to exist, to reduce the high number of people in our region who get cancer and the high number of people who die

from cancer. By doing so, we improve lives and simultaneously lower

healthcare costs.

Created by the collaboration of many stakeholders, we work by partnering

with the region’s four cancer centers, plus community hospitals, businesses,

civic groups, churches, public health departments, universities, cancer survivors

and other concerned residents. We bring funding, expertise and opportunities

to the area and build upon the excellence of existing healthcare services.

Our efforts help to ensure southwest Georgians have access to cancer

education, prevention, screening, treatment and research - all close to home.

Although much remains to be done, we have made significant progress because of

the commitment of the cancer centers and all our partners, the support of our

region’s legislators and the Governor, and the determination of the people of

southwest Georgia.

We look forward to a future when southwest Georgia is not known for its suffering from cancer, but rather for how well we have conquered cancer.

Unlike national organizations,

every dollar donated to the

Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition

stays in southwest Georgia

and all of our programs and activities

exclusively serve the residents

of our region.

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Ann Addison, PhD, MSN Primary Care of Southwest Georgia Blakely Clay Banks Equity Group, Georgia Division, LLC Camilla Annette Bowling Albany Advocacy Resource Center Inc. Albany James Brown Capital City Bank & Trust Co. Albany Pam Cartwright South Georgia Medical Center Valdosta

Billie Gatewood Survivor Advocacy Group Americus

Jacqueline Grant, MD, MPH, MPA Public Health District 8-2 Albany

Steve Johnson, MD Archbold Memorial Hospital Thomasville Julee Brooke Lewis Ross-Lewis Law Firm Douglas

Terri Lupo Georgia Power Valdosta James McGahee Past Chair South Georgia Medical Center Valdosta

Raymond Moreno, MD Tift Regional Medical Center Tifton

Perry Mustian Archbold Memorial Hospital Thomasville

Bill Richardson Tift Regional Medical Center Tifton Phillip Roberts, MD Phoebe Cancer Center Albany

Debbie Weaver, PhD, RN Valdosta State University Valdosta

Joel Wernick Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Albany

Mark Wilson Langdale Industries, Inc. Valdosta

Glenda Battle, RN, BSN Chair

Decatur Co. Commissioner, Retired Leesburg

Richard Royal Vice Chair

Georgia State Representative, Retired Camilla

Rev. Ernest Davis Jr. Secretary/Treasurer

Pastor, Bethel AME Church Albany

Jim Hotz, MD Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and Coalition Medical Director

Internist, Albany Area Primary Health Care Albany

Diane Fletcher Chief Executive Officer

Board of Directors Advisory Committee

Theresa Gillespie, PhD, RN

Karen Glanz, PhD, MPH

Joseph Lipscomb, PhD

Karl E. Peace, PhD

For complete biographies of board members, please visit www.swgacancer.org

Retired Board Members

Tom Bell

Ken Beverly

Sammie Dixon, MD

Gatewood Dudley, MD

Lynne Feldman, MD

Wayne Martin

Cecillia Morris

J. Paul Newell, MD

Kay Read

Marvin Singletary

Board Of Directors

Legal Counsel Timothy C. Sanders Alexander and Vann, LLP

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Regional Cancer Centers We are grateful for the support of our founding partners:

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany

John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital, Thomasville

South Georgia Medical Center, Valdosta

Tift Regional Medical Center, Tifton

Other Health Care Providers Willie Adams, MD, Albany Albany Area Primary Health Care Albany Community Hospice Albany Dermatology Clinic, P.A. Albany Ear, Nose and Throat Albany Gastroenterology Albany General Surgery Albany OB-GYN Albany Surgical, PC Albany Urology Clinic Allen Urology, Albany Cardiovascular Surgical Associates, Albany Moon Chung, MD Clarence Calhoun, MD, Albany Crisp Regional Hospital, Cordele Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University Gynecology Associates, Americus LabCorp Medical College of Georgia Cancer Center Miller County Hospital Miriam Worthy Women’s Health Center, Albany OB-GYN Associates of Albany OB-GYN Associates at the Veranda Phoebe Endoscopy Center Phoebe Sumter Medical Center Phoebe Surgical Oncology Premier OB-GYN Primary Care of Southwest GA, Inc., Blakely South Central Primary Care, Ocilla Southwest Georgia Family Medicine Residency Spring Creek Health Cooperative, Blakely Summit Women’s Care of Albany, PC Surgical Associates of Albany Women’s Health Professionals, Albany Colleges and Universities Albany State University Darton College Emory University Georgia Southern University Georgia Southwestern University Medical College of Georgia Mercer University Morehouse College University of Georgia University of Pennsylvania Valdosta State University

Regional Cancer Coalitions of Georgia Central Georgia Cancer Coalition East Georgia Cancer Coalition Northwest Georgia Cancer Coalition Southeast Georgia Cancer Alliance West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC) — Statewide Government Entities Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) Georgia State Senators and Representatives Georgia U.S. Congressmen Local City and County Government Officials South Georgia Public Health District Southwest Georgia Public Health District Industry/Businesses Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Alexander & Vann, LLP, Thomasville Allergy & Asthma Clinics of Georgia, Albany Capitol City Bank & Trust Company, Albany Draffin and Tucker, LLP, Albany Equity Group, Georgia Division, LLC, Camilla Georgia Chamber of Commerce Georgia Power, Valdosta Langdale Industries, Inc., Valdosta Miller County Chamber of Commerce Ross-Lewis Law Firm, Douglas Sharpe Solutions, LLC, Tifton Thomasville-Thomas County Chamber of Commerce Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce

Other Partners Albany Advocacy Resource Center, Inc. Albany Herald American Cancer Society American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer Bethel AME Church, Albany Georgia Association for Primary Health Care, Inc. Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (CORE) Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO) Grady County HELP Agencies, Inc. Family Connections Partnership Lowndes County Partnership for Health Miller County Collaborative Miller County School System Mitchell County Food Bank Moultrie YMCA PinkPals of Sumter County South Georgia Chapter of the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, Inc. (ACRP) Southern Georgia Evaluation Association (SGEA) Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center (SOWEGA-AHEC) Southwest Georgia newspapers, radio and television

2010 Partners Southwest Georgia Regional Cancer Centers Residents of southwest Georgia are fortunate to have access to

four cancer centers, all accredited by the American College of

Surgeons Commission on Cancer.

The Cancer Coalition secures additional resources and

opportunities for these centers, specifically in the areas of cancer

research, professional development, patient support services and

public education. In turn, the cancer centers strongly support the

Cancer Coalition, including Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital's

generous provision of new office space for our organization.

As our founding partners, each center is essential in furthering our

common mission to improve lives across the region.

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How We Help: A Summary

The Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, as demonstrated in this report, brings additional

resources to our 31 counties - resources that improve lives and spur economic development.

The additional funding, expertise and opportunities are particularly important

in light of the stresses of the current economy.

We create new infrastructures in local communities so the communities can better address their

health issues. For example, we led collaboration among one county’s school district, hospital,

public health department, local government, community organizations and businesses

to tackle the dramatic smoking rates in their community. Working together and using new

resources from the Cancer Coalition ultimately will improve the health

of these residents - and may, in fact, save their lives.

We connect academic centers to our local communities, bringing knowledge from

university experts to southwest Georgia. Providing funding and expertise, we offer

state-of-the-art training for local professionals, educate our residents, and make available

opportunities for both residents and professionals to participate in research studies.

The Cancer Coalition’s efforts lead to better informed residents and a

strengthened workforce in our struggling area of the state.

We identify the greatest needs in our area and deliver effective programs to underserved

individuals. Our Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM is a prime example. Recognized

nationally and adopted as the statewide model, the program is a coordinated system of care

that reaches uninsured and underinsured residents and provides cancer screening services.

By bringing additional resources and coordinating existing services, the Cancer Coalition

increases the capacity of our region to better prevent and control cancer.

Cancer Coalition staff welcomed members of the community and distributed educational materials during a Holiday Open House.

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The impact of the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition can be measured in our contributions to quality of life as well as to economic development. Both lives and dollars are saved by our success in preventing, finding and controlling cancer.

In 2010, the following benefits came to residents of southwest Georgia because of the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition:

563 uninsured and under-insured residents in 20 southwest Georgia counties given free or low-cost cancer screenings through our Community Cancer Screening Program TM

304 colorectal cancer screenings provided; 111 patients (36% of those screened) had high-risk polyps removed; two cancers found

117 prostate cancer screenings provided

27 cervical cancer screenings provided; one cancer diagnosed

174 referrals for breast cancer screenings (via public health departments)

More than 100 partnerships sustained, resulting in reduced duplication and increased effectiveness of all stakeholder services

Nearly $800,000 to be brought to our area over five years to conduct research via our partnership with the Emory Prevention Research Center; from 2004 – 2010, more than 2,344 interactions (interviews, phone calls and home visits) completed with local residents in 16 different counties

2,606 members of the public educated about preventing, finding and controlling cancer

More than one million estimated exposures to media informational messages about cancer

126 local men and women participated in new research study about prostate cancer treatments;

$68,000 CDC-funded grant awarded to our region (via Emory University)

$14,000 given to five local organizations to assist southwest Georgia cancer patients with food, medication coverage,

transportation and other needs

223 local patients having cancer surgery donated tumor and blood specimens to Georgia’s statewide Biobank for cancer research

270 local healthcare professionals provided with professional development and training via webinars, videoconferences and on-site lectures

Six Georgia State Senators and 18 Georgia State Representatives, representing southwest Georgia’s 31 counties, kept informed about local needs; the legislators’ and Governor’s support resulted in $225,000 in state funds appropriated for southwest Georgia programs

Leveraged state funding to attract over $529,000 in local matching funds (FY 10)

$25,000 DCH grant awarded and used to teach local residents about colorectal and prostate cancer

$50,000 DCH grant awarded and used for tobacco control efforts in a local community suffering from high rates of smoking and lung cancer

Eight new employees hired, 10 employees retained; maintained steady organizational growth since three employees in 2005

Nearly 14,000 visits to Cancer Coalition’s website for program information, news, and/or free educational webinars

Received over $545,000 in research and program grants (FY 10)

Impact of Our Work 2010 Key Accomplishments

Removal of high-risk polyps in

111 colonoscopy patients

prevented development of a

number of impending cancers and

potentially saved hundreds

of thousands of healthcare dollars.

It costs approximately $2,000 for

a colonoscopy with polyp removal

versus $100,000 or more to treat

late stage colon cancer.

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Saving More Lives Center to Reduce Cancer Disparities

The burden of cancer is greatest for individuals who suffer from health-related disparities and unfortunately, southwest Georgia is one of the worst suffering areas of the state.

In 2010, 14 of our 31 counties - nearly half the region - were in the "red",

or worst, category of health-related rankings. Another 12 counties were

ranked "orange", meaning second to last in the state (2010 Public Health

Rankings Report, Healthcare Georgia Foundation). The 15 health-related

indicators included poverty, lack of health insurance, unemployment,

shortage of physicians, high rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease

and cancer deaths, and other related measures. To reduce the terribly

unequal burden of cancer suffered by these communities, the Cancer

Coalition’s Center to Reduce Cancer Disparities identifies our region’s

greatest needs and then provides programs focused on risk reduction,

early cancer detection, primary medical care and individualized health

navigation services.

Examples of the Center's 2010 programs and activities follow on

pages 10, 11 and 12.

How Healthy Is Your County?

Ranking Key - 1 (green) being the best, 159 (red) being the most in need based on 15 health-related indicators

Green: 1-39 Yellow: 40-79 Orange: 80-119 Red: 120-159

Source: www.togetherwecandobetter.com/countybycounty

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When Sufronia Carter was told she might have cancer, one of her first

thoughts was of her four adult children. “I didn’t want to bother them with it just yet,” said the 58-year-old substitute teacher from Albany.

Her mind made up not to tell her children, Carter was grateful for the one person she could confide in - the health navigator who arranged for her free colonoscopy through the Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM

. “She told me that she would take care of everything. She was an angel.”

Carter’s angel was Rhonda Green, Program Manager, who, as a Health Navigator, provides individualized care to patients in need of cancer screening. Green led Carter through her primary care visit at Dawson Medical Center, educated and prepared her for her colonoscopy, and helped arrange doctor visits and surgery after a cancerous polyp was found.

“This is what a navigation program is supposed to be - people helping people break down barriers so the patient can get the best care possible,” said Denise Ballard, Vice President for Cancer Prevention and Control with the Cancer Coalition. “Every southwest Georgian, regardless of his or her ability to pay, should have access to cancer screening and early detection.” Partially funded by the Georgia Cancer Coalition, the program could not happen without the significant in-kind support of our clinical partner organizations, including Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Phoebe Endoscopy Center, Albany Gastroenterology PC, LabCorp, and Phoebe Surgical Oncology.

Sufronia Carter, left, with Health Navigator Rhonda Green following Carter’s surgery for cancer, found during a colonoscopy she received through the Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM.

Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM

January 2010 through December 2010

Colorectal Cancer Screenings Screened 304 Patients with high risk polyps removed 111

Cancers diagnosed 2

Prostate Cancer Screenings 117 Cancer diagnosed 0

Cervical Cancer Screenings 27 Cancer diagnosed 1

Referrals for Breast Cancer Screenings 174 (Via public health departments)

The Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM is a

coordinated system of care developed by the Southwest

Georgia Cancer Coalition that involves working with local

community health centers, public health departments,

hospitals and physicians to help uninsured and

underinsured individuals receive life-saving cancer

screening services at low or no cost.

Our highly-trained, professional Health Navigators work with clinicians to identify patients in need of breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancer screening, and assist patients in overcoming barriers to receiving the care they need. In 2010, in collaboration with our clinical partners, our program served 563 patients in 20 counties across the region.

TM

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Our navigators regularly work with staff at the area’s community health centers to

identify clinic patients who are due for colonoscopy screening. In addition, last year

we tested a new outreach program to find and encourage even more underserved

individuals to have colorectal cancer screening.

Funded by a DCH grant, we added the additional outreach in one of the clinics already participating in the Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM and compared the results to our standard approach. The goal of the outreach was to encourage patients who had not recently seen a physician to make a doctor’s appointment to discuss colonoscopy, specifically patients 50 years old and older, uninsured or self-pay, and who had not had the screening. After identifying 171 eligible patients, we first mailed a letter from the clinic’s medical director encouraging the patient to see his/her doctor to discuss colorectal cancer screening. The mailing also contained educational materials and the Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM brochure that explained the test is free of charge for uninsured patients. Of the 171 patients who received the mailing, 34 called their doctor’s office to make an appointment - a remarkable 20% return. Our navigators then called

those 34 patients and also were able to reach another 88 of the patients who had not responded to the mailing. During the calls, navigators educated patients, confirmed they were due for a colonoscopy, and helped

them overcome barriers to having the test. The added outreach strategy was highly effective. Specifically, 102 patients from the clinic with the added outreach program received colonoscopy screening compared to 36 patients from a clinic with our standard process alone.

Patients noted that the physician’s recommendation and the navigator’s phone calls were the main reasons they decided to have the test. In southwest Georgia communities suffering from health disparities, we showed we could effectively reach and educate individuals and provide overdue colorectal cancer screening.

Denise Ballard, right, shows Cancer Coalition Board Chair Glenda Battle screening statistics from the Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM.

102 patients from the clinic with

the added outreach program

received colonoscopy screening

compared to 36 patients

from a clinic with our

standard process alone.

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The fight against tobacco use in Miller County gained strength

in 2010 as business, social service, and health care organizations

continued to focus on preventing and stopping the use of tobacco,

and protecting residents against second-hand smoke.

In recognition of the effect tobacco has on the health of its employees and the community, the

Miller County Board of Commissioners, Miller County School System, and Miller County Hospital

all adopted 100% Tobacco Free policies.

Funded with a $50,000 grant to the Southwest

Georgia Cancer Coalition from the Georgia DCH,

efforts in Miller County are aimed at reducing

tobacco-related health disparities.

The first year of the two-year project focused

on developing the community-wide Miller

County Tobacco Coalition, which

includes representatives from the Miller County

Collaborative, the health department, the

school system, the hospital, the Spring Creek

Health Cooperative, the Southwest Georgia

Public Health District, the Cancer Coalition,

the Chamber of Commerce, and tobacco-related disease survivors and their families.

Now in its second year, the Tobacco Coalition continues to make strides in preventing and

stopping tobacco use. Priority audiences are youth, men and pregnant women because these

three groups were identified having the highest smoking rates in Miller County.

Tobacco Control

Miller County

100% Tobacco-Free

policies adopted in 2010

Miller County School System

Miller County Hospital

Miller County - all buildings and property owned and in use

by the county

The Miller County Tobacco Coalition recognized the Miller County School System for their adoption of a 100% Tobacco Free Schools policy. Pictured during the presentation are (from left): Sheila Freeman, Executive Director, Spring Creek Health Cooperative; David Cooper, Health Promotion Coordinator, Southwest Public Health District; Robbie Phillips, Superintendent, Miller County School System; Leigh Thompson, Executive Director, Miller County Collaborative; Denise Ballard, Cancer Coalition Vice President of Cancer Prevention and Control.

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A well-prepared workforce is vital to reducing our region’s tremendous burden of cancer.

The Cancer Coalition brings education and training opportunities locally for physicians, nurses, other healthcare professionals and students, helping to ensure that local cancer control efforts are aligned with cutting edge science.

In 2010, funded by the DCH and in partnership with the Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center (AHEC), we provided 100 healthcare professionals with the most current information about a controversial topic: prostate cancer screening. Participants indicated high level of satisfaction with both the lecture by Dr. Daniel Blumenthal from Morehouse University, and with the electronic delivery method.

As another important facet of our partnership, the Emory PRC provided additional training in grants writing, community assessment, faith-based research, and program evaluation. Professionals from the following 15 counties took advantage of these exceptional, no-cost, locally available learning opportunities: Ben Hill, Berrien, Clay, Coffee, Colquitt, Crisp, Dougherty, Early, Irwin, Lee, Lowndes, Mitchell, Terrell, Thomas and Tift. In addition, EPRC’s Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network awarded grants and provided technical assistance to four local organizations so they could conduct programs to promote good health.

Our strong academic partnerships allow local professionals to access renowned expertise and resources and subsequently apply new knowledge and skills to benefit patients across the region.

The Cancer Coalition supported a key professional education effort at Tift Regional Medical Center - the Breast Improvement Project - by purchasing for the Center a workstation table and large color monitor necessary for its breast cancer conferences. Led by Dr. Joel Johnson, the ongoing bi-weekly sessions provide a multidisciplinary forum for physicians to discuss challenging patient cases.

Supporting Professional Excellence

Top photo - Co-sponsored by the Cancer Coalition, Archbold Memorial Hospital held its 2010 annual Balfour Lecture. Renowned pathologist Dr. Deborah Morosini, center, presented an update on lung cancer. She is shown with, left, Perry Mustian, President/CEO, Archbold Memorial Hospital, and Dr. Charles Tomlinson, VP of Medical Affairs, at Archbold. Bottom photo - Nealy Stapleton and Michelle Huskey of the Southwest Georgia AHEC assist participants during the 2010 Cancer Update conference hosted by Phoebe Cancer Center for area health professionals. The Cancer Coalition helped plan and promote the event. Shown signing in are, left, William Mendenhall, MD, of Shands Hospital in Florida, who presented on Head and Neck Cancer, and his brother, Charles Mendenhall, MD, of Phoebe Cancer Center.

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Promoting Healthy Communities Southwest Georgians need accurate and understandable

information so they can make informed decisions about how

to best prevent, find and treat cancer.

Partially funded by state and corporate grants, in 2010 the Cancer Coalition continued

to provide easily accessible, high quality education that promoted health in our

communities - all at no cost to residents. Healthier communities are more productive

communities; our efforts not only improve lives, but also contribute to the

economic vitality of our area.

Coalition staff went to the Equity Group, Georgia Division worksite and provided 1,132

employees with information on colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer, general cancer screening,

and quitting smoking. Located in Camilla, the division employs individuals from Mitchell, Dougherty,

Baker and surrounding counties. Another worksite educational activity provided sun safety information

to southwest Georgia pecan growers attending a growers’ meeting in Albany.

Recognizing the importance of the faith community, in 2010 experts from the Emory

Prevention Research Center, in collaboration with the Cancer Coalition, held an event

entitled Healthy Churches - Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Southwest Georgia. More than

50 members of the region’s faith community learned proven ways to help their congregations

adopt healthier lifestyles.

Funded by the Georgia DCH, the Cancer Coalition held prostate cancer workshops across the region.

The sessions taught men about the importance of having a primary care doctor and making informed

decisions about prostate cancer screening.

Throughout the year, the Cancer Coalition also supported the efforts of its clinical partners in helping

patients and the public increase their health awareness and locate the resources they need.

To reach even more people, many of our public education programs are available free of charge

through our website. A complete listing of these is available on page 17.

Above, Cancer Coalition staff member Pamela Raines distributes cancer-related information to an Equity Group, Georgia Division employee during a worksite wellness event at its Camilla plant. Below, participants of a Prostate Cancer Awareness educational workshop surround John Vance, MD, of Albany Area Primary Health Care Inc. following his presentation.

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Top photo - The Emory Prevention Research Center recently awarded $32,000 in grants to community organizations in Tifton, Thomasville, and Albany. The “Prevention Programs That Work” program is funded by the EPRC’s Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network, and our regional partnerships help the EPRC reach local organizations. Receiving the grants, left, are the Tift County School System, Thomasville Community Resource Center, Oakridge Baptist Church, and the Network of Trust School Health Program in Albany.

Bottom photo - Cancer Coalition Health Navigator Charles Greene discusses the importance of cancer screening with individuals attending a health awareness event at an Albany Area Primary Health Care clinic.

Pink for Breast Cancer

In promotion of breast cancer awareness, the Albany

Herald printed their September 30, 2010 edition on pink paper.

The newspaper generously donated a portion of the proceeds

from the “Pink Paper” advertising sales

to the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition.

To keep health professionals and the public in touch with recent cancer information, the Coalition instituted a Webinar Library consisting

of archived versions of the most recent presentations we have hosted throughout the region. They can be accessed free-of-charge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Programs include:

Teams Managing Cancer Patients - Troy Kimsey, MD, discusses the role of surgical oncology in southwest Georgia.

Raising Awareness About Your Skin - Melinda Greenfield, MD, discusses skin cancer awareness and prevention.

What is Hospice? What is Palliative Care? Jeanette Boohene, MD, and Lane Mathis Price, MD, discuss these two important healthcare choices.

Colon Cancer Screening - Learn more about the

Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition Community Cancer Screening Program, and follow patient Larry Green as he has his first colonoscopy. Ira Knepp, MD, of Albany Gastroenterology, discusses the importance of colon cancer screening.

Prostate Cancer - Durado Brooks, MD, MPH, Director of

Prostate and Colorectal Cancers for the American Cancer Society, discusses early detection and the critical role of primary care in preventing and managing prostate cancer.

All programs can be accessed at www.swgacancer.org

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The Cancer Coalition serves as a critical link between researchers at Georgia’s universities and the people in our

communities. Through these partnerships, we bring to southwest Georgians the opportunity to participate in

research that often is not available in rural areas, and simultaneously we give researchers the chance to include

our population in their studies. In this way, we directly contribute to learning why our area suffers from high

cancer rates and high numbers of cancer deaths.

In 2010, the Cancer Coalition collaborated with Emory University to help design and conduct

a study called Active Surveillance Attitudes and Perspectives (ASAP): Acceptability of Active

Surveillance as a Treatment Choice for Prostate Cancer Among U.S. Males, funded by the

CDC. Led by Theresa Gillespie, PhD, our region was chosen as the first rural site for the study,

the only one of its kind to be awarded nationally and with six sites across the country.

This research is significant because prostate cancer is the most common cancer and the

second highest cause of cancer deaths

in U.S. men. African-American men have the highest rates of prostate cancer in the

world, and die at a rate almost 2 ½ times higher than Caucasian men.

To assist patients in making informed treatment decisions, it is vital that physicians

understand what men and their wives/significant others think and feel about prostate

cancer treatments. “Men living in rural areas like southwest Georgia may have different

treatment concerns and needs than those living in urban areas,” said Gillespie.

Working with Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Primary Care of Southwest Georgia,

South Georgia Medical Center, and Tift Regional Medical Center, the Cancer Coalition

recruited 63 local couples for the study, the highest recruiting site to date for this

national study.

Coalition staff members then held focus groups and interviews throughout the region, giving southwest Georgia residents the chance to have

their ideas, experiences and opinions included in this important research.

Active Surveillance

Attitudes and

Perspectives Study

Searching For Answers

“That’s why our partnership with the

Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition

is so important; it allows us

to hear directly from people

who live in rural communities.”

Theresa Gillespie, PhD, Emory University, Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University,

and Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center

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As it has been since 2004, the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition continued as the primary community partner of the prestigious Emory Prevention Research Center (EPRC), one of only 32 CDC-funded centers nationwide.

The EPRC partners with us to conduct precise research on cancer prevention and how to reduce health disparities in

our rural communities, with particular attention to tobacco use, physical activity, nutrition, and obesity. In 2010, for

example, one study looked at local residents who were able to be highly physically active in spite of living in rural

impoverished communities.

From 2004 – 2010, more than 2,344 interactions, including interviews, phone calls and home visits, have been

completed with local residents in 16 different counties. Using the wealth of

data gathered to date, this past year EPRC researchers and the local

Community Advisory Board designed the next phase – a large regional study

testing a home-based program’s impact on lifestyle choices.

The EPRC and the Cancer Coalition serve as a model of a highly successful

academic/community partnership, one that brings remarkable opportunities

for southwest Georgians to be part of cutting-edge research. Sharing the

outcomes of our collaborative work also contributes to the scientific

community and puts our region in the national spotlight. In addition,

the funding brought to our area has supported the local economy by our

hiring of 23 local research staff from 10 counties. Finally, the EPRC provides

exemplary, local, no-cost public and professional

education as detailed on pages 13, 14 and 15.

Biobank Coordinator Lorraine Smallwood of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital prepares tissue samples to be sent to the statewide Biobank.

Top photo, left to right - EPRC staff members Nicole Dubruiel (left), Iris Alcantara (right) work with research specialist Nikki Jackson on a data entry system.

Below, left to right - Research Specialists Nathanial Myers, Aisha Viquez, and Johnny Hobbs attend Healthy Homes/Healthy Families coaching training at the Cancer Coalition office.

Biobank

The Southwest Georgia Cancer

Coalition continued its partnership

with the Medical College of Georgia,

now the Georgia Health Sciences

University, in Augusta, to maintain our

regional site of the statewide Biobank.

Through funding from the Georgia

Cancer Coalition, southwest Georgia

residents are able to support and

be represented in new cancer

research studies.

In 2010, 223 cancer patients having

surgery at Phoebe Putney Memorial

Hospital contributed tumor tissue

and/or serum to the Biobank to

advance cancer research.

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Each year the Cancer Coalition helps to support the patient assistance programs at the region’s four cancer centers, as well as selected local nonprofit organizations that assist cancer patients.

Funds are used to help patients with critical out-of-pocket expenses, such as medication costs and nutritional needs. More than $136,000 has been awarded since the grants program started in 2006. Our cancer care grants not only assist with immediate needs, but they also may more widely benefit residents with cancer. One example is our partial funding of a cancer survivorship program, developed by Martha Griffis and Mary Ann Heddon at South Georgia Medical Center, that has received national recognition and will be shared with the other cancer centers to reach more patients across our region.

Past and present grant recipients

Grady County Help Agencies, Inc. Health Care Advocates of Berrien County John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital Lowndes County Partnership for Health Mitchell County Food Bank

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital PinkPals Support Group, Americus South Georgia Medical Center Tift Regional Medical Center

Cancer Care Grants Helping patients and families through local organizations

A $500 award from Sam’s Club Community Grants Program directly benefitted the Cancer Care Grants Program. Shown are Yolanda Anderson, Sam’s Club 06506 Marketing and Membership Team Leader; Cancer Coalition CEO, Diane Fletcher; LaShonda Jones, Sam’s Club 06506 Advantage Coordinator; and Denise Ballard, Cancer Coalition Vice President of Cancer Prevention and Control.

Volunteers The Cancer Coalition is constantly grateful for the time, energy and resources given by our volunteers. Each one is genuinely committed to our mission and instrumental in the organization’s success. Shown, at left - Volunteers and Coalition staff members discuss the Bunko Tournament, a Cancer Coalition fundraiser slated for Spring 2011. Left to right are Cancer Coalition CFO/COO Jennifer Johnston; Lark Ledbetter, volunteer; Development Coordinator Amanda Williams; and Vicki Inman, volunteer. At right, volunteers (l-r) Dellen Lyall, Judy Campbell and Dorothy Dickey help to sort donated items in preparation for the Cancer Coalition’s “Bid Goodbye To Cancer” online auction.

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Our focus is on southwest Georgia; however, by collaborating and sharing best practices with organizations across Georgia and the nation, we bring even more benefit to our area.

A fundamental statewide initiative is the Georgia State Cancer Plan. Board members and staff

members of the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, and representatives from its partner

organizations, have significantly contributed to the plan’s development since 2006 and continued

to have key roles in its implementation. Among others, Dr. Jim Hotz, a board officer and the

Coalition’s Medical Director, serves on the Implementation Steering Committee as well as Co-Chair

of the Early Detection and Screening Oversight and Implementation Team; Dr. Troy Kimsey,

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital surgical oncologist and GCC Distinguished Scholar, serves as

Co-Chair of the Diagnosis, Staging and Treatment Team of which Diane Fletcher, Cancer Coalition

CEO, is a member; and Denise Ballard, Cancer Coalition Vice President, Cancer Prevention and

Control, serves on the Prevention Team. Our voices ensure that the needs of the people of

southwest Georgia are represented in the state’s cancer priorities.

Another important initiative is Georgia’s participation in the national Rapid Quality

Reporting System (RQRS). The RQRS, created by the Commission on Cancer (American College of Surgeons), provides rapid feedback related to quality of care, such

as reporting if a standard cancer treatment has been prescribed as expected. The Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, along with the five other Regional Cancer

Coalitions of Georgia, worked with Dr. Joe Lipscomb from Emory University to help initiate RQRS in 30 hospitals across the state, including the four cancer centers

in our area. RQRS has proven valuable to our region’s physicians and hospitals in making treatment decisions and evaluating their quality of care.

Other statewide initiatives that we actively participate in include:

· Biorepository Alliance of Georgia-Oncology (statewide Biobank)

· Council of Regional Cancer Coalitions of Georgia

· Georgia CORE’s efforts to increase availability of clinical trials

· Research activities of Georgia Cancer Coalition Distinguished Cancer

Clinicians and Scientists

Statewide Initiatives

· Cancer Patient Navigators of Georgia · Georgia DCH comprehensive cancer control efforts · Advocacy regarding cancer-related issues

Above, Jim Hotz, MD, reviews the State Cancer Plan. Dr. Hotz serves on the plan’s Steering Committee. Below, Georgia DCH Director of Health Promotions and Disease Prevention Kimberly Redding, MD, talks with Emory Professor and GCC Distinguished Scholar Joesph Lipscomb, PhD, during a meeting of the Regional Cancer Coalitions.

As the largest and most comprehensive of the six Regional Cancer Coalitions of Georgia, our programs and projects are often identified as best practices. For example, we achieved national recognition for our Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM and our same model has been adopted as the statewide approach for colorectal cancer screening.

20 www.swgacancer.org

Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition, Inc. Fiscal Year July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010

STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

Leveraging Your Donations We leverage the funding received from various sources by pursuing additional sources of support for our programs and initiatives. The Cancer Coalition continues to develop a diversified revenue base for long-term sustainability.

Good Stewardship We take seriously the trust that contributors place in our organization. We constantly evaluate our programs to hold ourselves accountable for efficient and effective use of funds to accomplish our mission. The Cancer Coalition fully complies with all 33 national nonprofit governance standards, including the Strong Financial Oversight Principles, as recommended by the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector.

* Includes federal, state and private grants. ** Includes all direct costs associated with programs.

A complete copy of financial statements audited by Draffin & Tucker, LLP is available upon request or on our website at www.swgacancer.org.

Revenue Contributions $ 530,775 Grants* $ 524,023 Other Income $ 2,696 Total Revenue $1,057,494

Expenses Programs** $656,530 Management & General $220,275 Fundraising $ 28,996 Total Expenses $905,801

Assets Cash $1,026,557 Unconditional promises to give $ 220,643 Property & Equipment $ 53,493 Total Assets $1,300,693

Net Assets Accounts Payable $ 53,684 Unrestricted $1,163,322 Temporarily Restricted $ 83,687 Total Net Assets $1,300,693

Financial Highlights

73%

24%

3%

Programs

Management and General

Fundraising

50%<50%

<1%

Contributions

Grants

Other Income

73%

24%

3%

Programs

Management and General

Fundraising

www.swgacancer.org 21

Financial Support

$250,000 – $499,999 Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital $100,000 – $249,999 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via Emory University contracts Georgia Cancer Coalition $50,000 – $99,999 John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital South Georgia Medical Center Tift Regional Medical Center Georgia Department of Community Health Southwest Georgia Public Health District 8-2 $1,000 – $9,999 AirTran Airways Emory University Equity Group, Georgia Division, LLC Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. Parker Poe Charitable Trust * P&G Paper Products Co. Clendon and Pamela Raines Regions Bank Jane Willson $500 – $999 Annette Bowling Capitol City Bank & Trust Company Custom Interiors Douglas Exchange Club EDN Inc., d/b/a Burger King Bill Hughey and Family JVS Associates Harley Langdale, Jr. Foundation Inc. James McGahee Dr. and Mrs. Craig Mitchell A. Richard Royal Sam’s Club, Albany Terri and Jerry Lupo

$100 – $499 A&K Fashions Albany Lighting Ann Addison, PhD Anne’s Photography AB&T Alexander & Vann, LLP Dr. and Mrs. Stephen C. Allen Lily Ballard Clay and Nickolette Banks Ken Beverly Big Oak Putters Reverend Ernest Davis, Jr. Dollywood Ed Jordan Music E & R Enterprises, Inc., Hi-Energy Weight Control Lynne Feldman, MD Keith and Diane Fletcher Flowers Nissan Jim and Billie Gatewood Dr. and Mrs. William George Charles Greene Howard Hester Jim and Trish Hotz Jason Hutcheson John Ross Jewelers J. Steven Johnson, MD Blair and Jennifer Johnston Dr. and Mrs. Walter Judge Bob and Donna LaGesse Joe and Carolyn Lipscomb Lime Light Nails Nancy Lopez/Phoebe Foundation LT Nails Eugene and Florence Miles Dr. and Mrs. Raymond Garza Moreno Mr. and Mrs. Perry Mustian Place on the Pointe Reese Construction Co.

Dr. and Mrs. Phillip Roberts Daryl Smith The Carriage Trade Turners Furniture, Albany Marie D. Waitsman Deborah and John L. Weaver Joel Wernick $1-$99 Atlanta Braves Atlanta Falcons Glenda Battle Blush Studios Carino’s Italian Restaurant, Albany Earl Carter Pam Cartwright Cracker Barrel, Albany Sandra Edge Beth English Robert Estes Don Fisher Kathryn Fletcher Frame O'Mind Photography Fred’s, Albany Debbie Fulford Jacqueline Grant, MD Rhonda Green Susan Greene Tim Haynes, Piggly Wiggly, Richland Henry's Restaurant Peggy Hodge Andi Hoff, Mack Hair Salon Home Depot, Albany Honda Yamaha Kawasaki of Albany Lacey Hughes Michelle Huskey IHOP, Albany Asa Kelley Shannon LaShea, Mack Hair Salon Juanita Lawson

Wayne Lawson David Lewis Julee Brooke Lewis Lowe’s, Albany Marcraft, Inc. Medical College of Georgia Kathy Miner Moe’s Southwest Grill, Albany Mullins Pools ORO World Peggy Ort Outback Steakhouse, Albany Prestige Honda Thomasville Harold and Marjorie Ragan James and Pam Reynolds Frances Rice Shirley Rogers Ruby Tuesday, Albany Chanita Salyer Wallace Sholar Southern Elegance of GA Stein Mart, Albany String Beads The Cakery Uniforms by Julie Unique Accessories Johnnie Vaughn Wayne Vogel Carroll Weaver Mr. and Mrs. Mark Wilson James Womack Zaxby's, Albany *Funds held for Dollars for Dignity patient assistance program at John D. Archbold Memorial Hospital

Fiscal Year July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010

All contributions to the Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition are used to help individuals in our local communities. We thank our donors for their support and investment in improving lives in southwest Georgia.

22 www.swgacancer.org

2332 Lake Park Drive Albany, GA 31707

Chief Executive Officer Diane Fletcher

Vice President Cancer Prevention and Control

Denise Ballard, MEd

Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer Jennifer Johnston, MBA

Southwest Georgia Director Emory Prevention Research Center (EPRC)

JK Veluswamy

Communications and Advocacy Coordinator

Mandy Flynn

Education Coordinator and Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM

Health Navigator Helen Dixson, RN, BSN

Manager

Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM

Rhonda Green

Development Coordinator Amanda Williams

Project Coordinator/Health Navigator Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM

Beverly Nembhard

Health Navigator Community Cancer Screening ProgramTM

Charles Greene

Executive Assistant Pamela Raines

EPRC Research/Administrative Assistant Aisha Viquez

Our Staff

229.312.1700 229.312.1705 fax www.swgacancer.org

Bottom, left to right Diane Fletcher, Helen Dixson, JK Veluswamy, Amanda Williams, Jennifer Johnston

Back, left to right Beverly Nembhard, Mandy Flynn, Denise Ballard, Rhonda Green,

Pamela Raines, Charles Greene, Aisha Viquez

www.swgacancer.org 23

RECIPIENT INFORMATION In Honor Of /In Memory Of (please circle): __________________________________________________________________________ Please send acknowledgement card to: (Name) _____________________________________________________________________ Address:___________________________________City:______________________________State:_______________Zip:__________ Note: Donation amount is not disclosed for memorial or honorary gifts. DONOR INFORMATION

Your Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________________ State: ______________ Zip: ____________________ E-Mail Address: ____________________________________________

Different from national organizations, we offer you the opportunity to invest in a local organization where 100% of your donation stays here in southwest Georgia. Please consider making a donation In Honor or In Memory of someone special. To donate, you may use the enclosed donation envelope, visit our website at www.swgacancer.org, or complete the form below and mail to: Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition 2332 Lake Park Drive Albany, GA 31707

Amount Enclosed $_______________

All gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowable by law. Please make checks payable to

Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition. Credit card donations are accepted on our website at

www.swgacancer.org.

The Southwest Georgia Cancer Coalition is grateful for the trust placed in us by the individuals and organizations that support us.

We honor that trust by using our funds wisely - working hard to better understand cancer in southwest Georgia, to bring resources to our area, to prevent cancer, to find it early, and to be certain people here have access to high quality choices for care.

How you can help

24 www.swgacancer.org

2332 Lake Park Drive Albany, GA 31707

229.312.1700 229.312.1705 fax www.swgacancer.org