About 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 (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). 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 100 active members, representing more than 50 cancer control organizations in Texas, including National Cancer Institute designated cancer centers, academic institutions, 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, and reducing disparities.
Leadership and Executive Committee
 |  |  |
Gwen Sims, M.Ed., RD, LD | Jennifer Cofer, MPH, CHES® | Rebekkah Schear, MIA |
| Chair | Immediate-past Chair and Advisor to the Chair | Chair-Elect |
| The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | TheUniversity of Texas at Austin |
Charlie Gagen | Ginny Kirklin, MPH | Lauren Milius, CHES® | Ramona Magid, MBA | Melanie Williams, PhD | |
| Member-at-Large and Tobacco Control Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Member-at-Large | Texas Comprehensive Cancer Control Program Representative | Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Representative | Texas Cancer Registry Representative | |
| American Lung Association | Texas Department of State Health Services | Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas | Texas Department of State Health Services | ||
Alex Hurst, MHA | Candice Adame Estrada, BSN, RN | Eliza May, MSSW, LMSW | Melissa Lopez Varon, MS | Susan L. Parker, MPH | |
| Tobacco Control Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Screening and Early Detection Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Screening and Early Detection Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Screening and Early Detection Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Screening and Early Detection Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | |
| The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | Texas Health and Human Services Commission | The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center | Baylor College of Medicine | ||
Stacie Miller, RN, MSN, MPH | Allison Rosen, MS | Aimee Israel, MSW, LCSW | Maria C. Mejia, MD, MPH, FACPM | Tammy Foskey, MA | Sharyn Malatok, MPA |
| Screening and Early Detection Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Screening and Early Detection Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Disparities Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Disparities Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Survivorship Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair | Survivorship Priority Area Workgroup Co-Chair |
| Moncrief Cancer Institute | The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston | The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center | Baylor College of Medicine | Texas Health and Human Services Commission | Breast Cancer Resource Center |
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 Plan.
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.
- Opportunity to 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 Plan or to collaborate on research and other cancer control projects.
- Increased awareness of new funding opportunities and useful resources to help you with your cancer control goals.
- A subscription to The CATalog, the coalition's quarterly publication, featuring news, educational opportunities, resources, and more.
- Informative and collegial quarterly meetings.