New Provincial Government Program to Enhance Cancer Prevention and Awareness

Applications are now being accepted for the Provincial Cancer Prevention and Awareness Grants Program. A total of $300,000 in funding is available to community-based agencies, not-for-profit organizations, and health care professionals throughout Newfoundland and Labrador who are working to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer.

“This program has been created to fund projects that encourage cancer prevention through the promotion of a healthy population,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services. “Many are unaware of how much can be done to prevent cancer through increased awareness. By investing in community-led initiatives, we can work together to address known risk factors and to promote healthy living.”

The Provincial Cancer Prevention and Awareness Grants Program is one initiative of the Provincial Government’s Cancer Control Strategy. The goal of the strategy is to provide key policy directions that will be used to guide cancer control efforts in the province in the coming years. Grant funding will support projects with an emphasis on one or more of the cancer prevention priority areas: tobacco control, nutrition, physical activity, ultraviolet radiation, infectious diseases, and environmental and occupational exposure.

Funding for the grants program has been provided through Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $3,000 to $30,000. Proposed projects should complement the Provincial Cancer Control Strategy and be based on best practices or current research. Both new and existing initiatives will be considered for funding.

“One third of cancer can be prevented, and early detection and effective treatment of another third is also possible,” said Minister Sullivan. “The community-based projects funded by this program will help to build cancer awareness and encourage prevention.”

Over the last eight years the Provincial Government has invested over $133 million in cancer prevention and treatment. The Provincial Cancer Control Strategy, released last year, focuses on a full range of activities to prevent cancer, detect cancer at an early stage, improve treatment and support the needs of individuals affected by cancer.

The application package and the Provincial Cancer Control Strategy document titled Gaining Ground: A Provincial Cancer Control Policy Framework for Newfoundland and Labrador are available at www.gov.nl.ca/health. A copy of the application may also be obtained by calling 729-3752. All applications must be received by December 7, 2011.

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Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca

2011 11 07             1:15 p.m.