Statements

Mission

The mission of Team CJ Colas Uterine Cancer Foundation is to educate women about uterine cancer, prevention, and health advocacy and provide resources for women fighting all types of cancer so they can thrive during treatment. Our vision is to create a community in which all women and their families feel supported during their cancer journeys, and that they as black women can be the best possible advocates for their health. We provide support such as free transportation, free summer youth programs for families affected by cancer, free wigs after hair loss, free educational workshops and free child care for cancer patients.

Background

Understanding the unique demands put on black women facing cancer diagnosis, we provide a number of resources that allow for women to feel supported during the most challenging journey of their lives. Black women are less likely to suffer from cancer, but those who are diagnosed die at a significantly higher rate due to systematic racism and bias in the medical system. Black women also suffer a significantly higher rate of medical misdiagnosis than their white counterparts. The physical and mental toll of treatment can be astounding, with over 30% of cancer patients reporting struggling with their mental health during treatment. Black women also face barriers around access to healthcare coverage and insurance and additional financial hardships due to wealth inequality.

Operating under the principles of mutual aid, we offer much needed, day-to-day services for black women suffering from cancer in order to take off some of the incredible burden of healing from disease. By reducing the significant burdens put on women undergoing cancer treatment, we improve both physical and mental health outcomes while building a community of care. We are also dedicated to education and advocacy, serving local women's events and health fairs to provide information on early cancer detection and how to self-advocate in the complicated medical system. We work with more than 250 women and their families annually to provide support and care.

Impact

Team CJ Colas programming priorities include:
Support Groups and Therapy
CJ Colas provides support groups facilitated by licensed mental health therapists for women recently diagnosed with cancer, undergoing chemotherapy and treatment, and survivors, creating a community of support and care during one of life's most challenging times. Our therapists specialize in treating the anxiety, depression, and executive functioning challenges that come along with undergoing treatment, and give women support in establishing self-care practices that can have a significant impact on their health outcomes. Undergoing cancer diagnosis and treatment causes significant strain on our client's mental health, and can often create a sense of isolation. By connecting women who are going through similar experiences, women can create networks of peer support, relate to one another, and feel less alone in their health struggles.

Rides Program
Finding rides to and from chemotherapy can be one of the costliest and most significant challenges of receiving chemotherapy, especially for clients who live further from medical providers or feel unsafe driving after treatment. Team CJ Colas reduces that burden by arranging free ride for clients coming to and from chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Our clients report that rides help reduce the financial and logistical stress of receiving treatment and allow for them to focus on other priorities.

Childcare Support
Team CJ Colas works with an affiliated childcare provider to provide free babysitting for clients with children during chemotherapy and radiation treatment. Much like rides, arranging childcare can be a significant financial and time burden during treatment, and our clients often share that they feel like they have tapped out their networks of support asking for assistance during treatment. With all the anxieties that come with a cancer diagnosis, parents and caregivers face significant stress as they tend to their own health while raising children. By offering multiple-hours sessions of childcare and support, we ease this burden on parents.

Health Advocacy
Our mission to create awareness about cancer has allowed us to empower countless women to take control of their health. Through speaking at schools, health fairs, churches, and events in Nashville, we have been able to spread our message and encourage individuals to take charge of their health. By teaching women to be mindful and request blood tests, pay for mammograms, and body scans during regular doctor visits, we are empowering individuals to take proactive measures towards their health. Additionally, our focus on empowering our clients to stand up for their health and advocate as black women in the health system has been crucial in addressing the health disparities that exist within our communities. Women feel more connected and supported, and we have built a community of neighbors who feel less alone as they seek treatment during the fight

Youth Summer Camp
Team CJ Colas is proud to announce its first summer camp program for children of parents with cancer and other chronic illnesses. Children of cancer patients and survivors can often long for a safe space to share their emotions and to relate to other children going through the challenge of having a parent who has a chronic illness. After years of demand from our clients, we are excited to offer a week of free activities to serve 50 young people from 32 families affected by these conditions. The program will offer a variety of activities such as sports, STEM activities, and art therapy, with a focus on healing and giving parents a break from childcare responsibilities. Our goal is to provide a fun and safe environment for children to create lasting memories while offering parents the much-needed respite they deserve.

Needs

Having flexible operational funds as a mutual-aid organization allows for us to be nimble and effective in how we meet the needs of each individual client; no cancer survivor's story or journey is the same. We are not simply a one-disease organization; we provide wraparound services and support that allow for women in financial need to take a significant burden of stress off their plates as they fight for their lives. We are always searching for:
-financial and in-kind contributions
-volunteer support
-connections to local businesses and grant makers, as well as local institutions whose clients may benefit from our work

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines  - Cancer
Secondary Category:	Community Improvement, Capacity Building  - Community & Neighborhood Development
Tertiary Category:	Human Services  - Centers to Support the Independence of Specific Populations

Areas Served

TN - Davidson