Community Outreach
Outreach and education are also key aspects of the IU Simon Cancer Center’s mission. We reach out to the public, health professionals, cancer researchers, and organizations through the IU Cancer Resource Center at Wishard, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Information Service, the Indiana Cancer Consortium, the Summer Research Program, health fairs and community speaking engagements. We are dedicated to enhancing community awareness of cancer-related issues.
IU Simon Cancer Center Cancer Resource Center at Wishard
The IU Simon Cancer Center opened the IU Cancer Resource Center at Wishard on Sept. 22, 2005, as a place for Wishard Health Services’ patients and their families to turn for information and assistance. The center provides up-to-date cancer information in a relaxing atmosphere. Located in the Special Medicine Clinic on the second floor of the Regenstrief Health Center at Wishard Health Services, 1001 W. Tenth Street, the IU Cancer Resource Center at Wishard features pamphlets with helpful facts about cancer, computers with access to the latest information, televisions with educational DVDs and videos, phone access to the American Cancer Society’s hotline and National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Services and displays about cancer and cancer-related issues.
In addition to the numerous educational tools available at the IU Cancer Resource Center at Wishard, there are also a number of resources available allowing a cancer patient to get feedback from others, including a conference room to discuss information with healthcare professionals, cancer support groups, educational programs and spiritual counseling through Wishard Chaplaincy.
Sponsors and supporters of the IU Cancer Resource Center at Wishard include the American Cancer Society, IU Simon Cancer Center, Eli Lilly & Co., H.H. Gregg, Business Furniture Corporation, SPG Graphics and Steelcase Inc.
For more information about the IU Cancer Resource Center at Wishard, please call (317) 630-8945.
NCI Cancer Information Service
IU Simon Cancer Center is a NCI Cancer Information Service (CIS) site, benefiting the public by providing the latest news and developments in the prevention and understanding of cancer risk and treatment. The CIS information specialists serve physicians, health care professionals, organizations and the public by providing both telephone (call 1-800-4-CANCER) and online assistance through LiveHelp.
Indiana Cancer Consortium
The Indiana Cancer Consortium (ICC) is a statewide network of public and private organizations dedicated to collaboratively reducing the cancer burden through the development and implementation of a state cancer control plan. The organization of ICC was a major initial goal of the IU Simon Cancer Center. The consortium resulted from the collaborative efforts of the IU Simon Cancer Center, Indiana State Department of Health, and the Great Lakes Division of the American Cancer Society.
Summer Research Program
The IU Simon Cancer Center Summer Research Program (SRP) aims to increase the number of high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented populations pursuing biomedical and behavioral science careers by providing positive and meaningful firsthand exposure to these fields.
SRP participants benefit from interacting with the cancer center’s investigators and research activities. The program was established in the summer of 2002 and receives funding from the NCI Minority Branch CURE Program.
Health Fairs
The importance of clinical trials as well as the prevention and early detection of cancer are emphasized by the IU Simon Cancer Center as an exhibitor in numerous community health fairs held in a variety of settings, including hospitals, workplaces, churches and schools. Health fairs are staffed by oncology nurses, social workers, physicians and patient educators.
The IU Simon Cancer Center has been a sponsor and exhibitor since 2004 at the Black Expo Summer Celebration's Black and Minority Health Fair, which is the largest health fair in the nation and provides more than 100,000 health screenings each year.
Community Speaking Engagements
Members of the IU Simon Cancer Center are frequently asked to speak at various community events, groups or organizations on a specific topic, such as breast cancer or clinical trials. Speakers are IU Simon Cancer Center physicians, oncology nurses, social workers and other professional support staff.