Cancer Alliance of Texas

Mission

The mission of the Cancer Alliance of Texas (CAT) is to engage organizations, agencies, institutions and individuals to work collaboratively to reduce the impact of cancer in Texas and promote the Texas Cancer Plan.

History

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) received funding in 1998 from the Centers for Disease Control to implement the Texas Cancer Plan through its Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. In partnership with the Texas Cancer Council, the DSHS initiated the formation of the Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition to facilitate collaboration and communication among a wide range of member agencies working in cancer control.

In 2003, by mutual agreement between the DSHS and the Texas Cancer Council, the Texas Cancer Council assumed active administration of the Coalition.  In 2008, active administration of the Coalition returned to the DSHS. 

The Coalition commemorated its 10th anniversary in 2009 and changed its name to the Cancer Alliance of Texas (CAT).  CAT now includes over 59 members representing major cancer control stakeholders in the state.  The DSHS continues to provide support to CAT and plays an integral role in its continued success. Alliance members have been actively engaged in the development and updating of the Texas Cancer Plan, most recently released in 2018, which serves as the blueprint for cancer control activities in Texas. 

Leadership and Executive Committee

Michael A. Davis, CAT Chair  Baylor Scott & White Healthcare	Philip Huang, MD, MPH, CAT Immediate Past-Chair and CAT Tobacco Control Chair Austin Public Health	Jennifer Cofer, MPH, CHES, CAT Chair-Elect M.D. Anderson Cancer Center	Karen Torges, CAT Advisor to the Chair Community Health Charities

Membership

Join CAT

Are you interested in joining the Cancer Alliance of Texas? Benefits of membership include:

• Increased awareness of the scope of the problem of cancer in Texas and what national, state, and local organizations and partners are doing to address the problem.
• Access to an organized networking forum of Texas organizations and partners working to address the state’s cancer burden.
• The ability to serve on state-level work groups to help implement the Texas Cancer Plan.
• Increased knowledge of funding and technical resources available to assist in local, and community cancer control planning.
• A subscription to The CATalog Newsletter, CAT’s biweekly publication featuring news, educational opportunities, resources, and more.
• Invitations to quarterly meetings you may attend in person or via conference call.
  

Please fill out an application here and follow the instructions at the bottom of the form to submit electronically.