Cancer Alliance of Texas

Mission

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

In 1998, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) received funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program to implement the state’s cancer control plan through the Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program. In partnership with the Texas Cancer Council, now known as the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), DSHS initiated the formation of the Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Coalition. The Coalition helped cancer control organizations across the state collaborate and communicate with one another.

In 2003, DSHS and the Texas Cancer Council agreed that the Texas Cancer Council actively administer the Coalition. In 2008, DSHS resumed active administration of the Coalition. 

In 2009, the Coalition celebrated its 10th anniversary and changed its name to the Cancer Alliance of Texas (CAT). Today, CAT has more than 150 members, representing more than 70 cancer control organizations in Texas, including four National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centers, institutions of higher learning, medical facilities, local health departments, government agencies, and community-based organizations.

Members work together to lessen the impact of cancer by focusing on primary prevention, early detection, better treatment, enhanced survivorship, elimination of disparities, and research. 

Leadership and Executive Committee

		Vacant
Jennifer Cofer, MPH, CHES Chair  The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center	Michael A. Davis, MHA Immediate-past Chair Baylor Scott & White Health	Advisor to the Chair	Gwen Sims, M.Ed., RD, LD Chair-Elect Harris County Public Health

Are you interested in joining CAT?

Membership is open to any individual who commits and contributes to the mission of the Coalition. Those seeking membership should complete and submit a membership application. Membership is approved by an affirmative majority vote of the Executive Committee. There are no term limits for general membership.  

Expectations for active participation include:

• Participate in regularly scheduled meetings and conference calls.
• Accept and complete assignments related to priority area workgroups.
• Frequently share updates about how you and your organization(s) are aligning cancer control activities with the Texas Cancer Plan.
  

Benefits of membership include:

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

• Increased insight and understanding of the cancer challenges many Texans face.
• Opportunities to learn about the creative and innovative ways that national, state, and local organizations and partners are taking to solve these challenges.
• Meet and network with diverse individuals and cancer-related institutions and organizations working together to address the state’s cancer burden.
• Opportunity to partner with other members to implement the Texas Cancer Plan or to collaborate on research and other cancer control projects.
• Learn about new funding opportunities and useful resources to help you with your cancer control goals
• A subscription to The CATalog, the coalition's biweekly publication, featuring news, educational opportunities, resources, and more
• Informative and collegial quarterly meetings in beautiful Austin, Texas. Participation via webinar is also an option.