Hope Light 'Cancer Corners'

The Hope Light Project has employed a new strategy to work with public libraries/library systems, health departments, hospitals and universities in rural areas to establish Cancer Corners.  This strategy will bring cancer information closer to people in rural communities that they live, work and learn.  Most of these communities are typified by having high and rising cancer death rates, high poverty rates, high uninsured rates, high unemployment rates, and being medically underserved with health professional shortage areas.   

The 'Cancer Corner' normally consists of a 3' to 6' wide library table and Hope Light Foundation provided 33" wide mobile display rack for displaying cancer related brochures, booklets, pamphlets, DVDs/CDs that are provided to visitors at no charge.   

Click on above to view/print a  larger image in PDF format.

Cancer Corner material is obtained by The Hope Light Foundation from well known and respected national cancer related organizations to include National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, National Children's Cancer Society, St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness, UsToo, and Lance Armstrong Foundation.

The first Cancer Corner was established in the Metropolis Public Library in Metropolis, Illinois followed by Cancer Corners in Cairo, Mounds, Harrisburg, Norris City and Rosiclare Illinois Public Libraries, Southern Seven Health Department in Ullin, Illinois, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, McCreary County Public Library in Whitley City, Kentucky, Iron County Health Department in Ironton, Missouri and Scott Memorial Hospital in Scottsburg, Indiana.   

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Hope Light Cancer Information and Education Centers

Hope Light Cancer Information and Education Centers (CIEC) will be established in selected libraries based on regional needs and library space available.  In some cases, CIECs will be an expansion of Hope Light Cancer Corners to include the following:

• Audio and videotapes/DVDs

• Brochures, pamphlets and books

• Cancer education programs

• Cancer information workshops and guest speaker events

• Cancer screening events

• Healthy lifestyle events

• Nutrition events

• Internet searches

• One-on-one support

• Local resource information: support groups and healthcare, financial and transportation services

The CIECs will be staffed by Hope Light Cancer Resource Navigator (CRN) volunteers that will be trained to help visitors become knowledgeable of all-cancers publications and local and on-line resources available to help them become better prepared to prevent, detect and cope with cancer.  Click on the following logo to see the CRN Training Guide:

A CRN volunteer could be a librarian, nurse, cancer survivor, healthcare provider, educator, physician or local resident with an interest in helping people in the fight against cancer.

The CRN will be working with local schools, colleges and universities libraries to share cancer information/material and collaborate on workshops and educational events related to childhood and young adult cancers.

The Hope Light Mission

The Hope Light Project Mission will be accomplished by employing innovative strategies to impact survivorship and save lives by communicating all-cancers information through a 24/7/365, multi-venue, multi-media, high visibility, integrated, collaborative, state-of-the-art technology campaign. 

The Hope Light Project

The Project employs the basic principles of evidence-based public health to develop strategies, goals, objectives, plans and programs used in the fight against cancer.  The Project begins by researching current cancer incidence and death rate trend data in state cancer registry's and major cancer organization information systems to determine the problem and identify at-risk for cancer communities and populations.   This data is then compared with community related behavioral risk factors, scientific studies, socioeconomic data, environmental data, etc. to determine strategies, goals and objectives and to develop cancer awareness communications, evidence-based intervention programs and outcomes measures.

The Hope Light Foundation is active in developing working-together relationships with state agencies, universities and stakeholders to help in evaluating cancer data, performing community needs analysis, and developing intervention programs.  

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky & Missouri Cancer Statistics 2010