On June 28, members of the Community Scientist Program joined the UF Health Cancer Center’s Survivorship Summit: Living Forward to support cancer survivors and strengthen community engagement in cancer research. This free event, held at the ElderCare Senior Recreation Center in Gainesville, was designed to support cancer survivors, caregivers, and their families by providing access to support services, the latest research, and valuable community resources. The summit was part of National Cancer Survivors Month, further highlighting its focus on empowerment and education for those impacted by cancer.
Our community scientists, Kristie Hill and Nadine Zemon, were on hand to connect with attendees and encourage participation in the CNA Survey, a collaborative effort between the Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (COE) and the Cancer Center. Their outreach helped ensure that the voices and experiences of survivors and caregivers would inform future research and programming.
A highlight of the summit was a moving poetry reading by Stanley Richardson, Alachua County’s Poet Laureate and a valued community scientist. Stanley crafted a poem using submissions from community members, weaving their words into a powerful “mosaic” that touched on themes of loss, hope, and the impact of cancer on caregivers. His reading resonated deeply with the audience, reminding everyone of the strength found in sharing stories and supporting one another.
The summit was a valuable opportunity for Community Scientists to connect with residents, uplift survivor stories, and continue building trust between researchers and the communities they serve.
