News from the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative | April 2020
A Note from the Director
In these uncertain times, our member organizations give me tremendous hope. All over Wisconsin, you are working tirelessly, quickly, and creatively to serve your communities—shifting cancer care to telemedicine, moving support groups online, sharing essential prevention and screening resources, and much, much more.

There is no question the COVID-19 pandemic is dramatically altering our cancer care landscape . According to emerging data, this disease is particularly dangerous for people with cancer and communities disproportionately affected by air pollution and racial inequality (factors that also affect cancer risk). We will see lasting consequences—physical, psychological, and emotional—for patients and practitioners.

The Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative is here to help you navigate the cancer implications of this crisis. We are actively monitoring how the pandemic may shape the cancer care continuum for months and years to come. And we are committed to sharing the data and resources you need to effectively serve your community, today and once this crisis is over.

Working together matters now more than ever. Thank you for the work you’re doing.

With gratitude,
Sarah Kerch, MPH
Director, Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative
COVID-19 and cancer
Your questions, answered
Ask us your questions about COVID-19 and cancer.

Share your questions and concerns -- we will help find the answers. And we will use your questions to guide new resources in the coming weeks.

For example: How will COVID-19 affect screening rates? What challenges will cancer patients and providers face? How can we prevent deepening inequalities as a result of this crisis?
COVID-19 and cancer
Webinar tomorrow: register now
Join us for a special webinar on COVID-19 and cancer, this Thursday, April 9, from 10-11 am .

Learn how COVID-19 is affecting cancer patients and cancer care in Wisconsin; find out where you can go for reliable information; and hear how fellow members are handling this crisis from a cancer perspective.
Member events update
Regional meetings canceled; what comes next
After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Virtual Regional Meetings. Instead, we are directing our efforts in the following ways:

First, we are responding to your questions and concerns about COVID-19 and cancer and hosting a special  COVID-19 and Cancer Webinar  on April 9.

Second, instead of six Regional Meetings, we are convening our full membership for one virtual meeting in May (details below). Why a single statewide meeting? Because no matter where we live, we each have something to share and something to learn in this time of crisis.

Finally, we are adding regional networking to the 2020 Wisconsin Cancer Summit in October. Stay tuned for details when Summit registration opens this summer.

We will miss seeing you in person this spring. And we will continue to keep you informed as we create new ways to work together.
Virtual networking opportunity
Statewide virtual meeting: Cancer control efforts in our new world
Mark your calendars for a virtual statewide meeting to address the future of cancer control in Wisconsin during and after the COVID-19 crisis:

Cancer Control Efforts in Our New World
Thursday, May 14 | 10-11 am

How is cancer care changing with COVID-19? How are organizations adjusting and making an impact? How can we ensure access to screening and treatment?
Staffing news
Welcoming Beth Brunner to the team
We are thrilled to announce that Beth Brunner has joined the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative staff as our new Partnership Manager.

This is a new role for a longtime champion. For more than 10 years, Beth helped guide our work as a member of our Steering Committee, including a term as chairperson in 2018.

As our partnership manager, Beth leads efforts to expand and engage our membership. She works closely with members to strengthen the ability to implement the Wisconsin Cancer Plan . 

“I'm passionate about what we can achieve when partners join efforts to eliminate the cancer burden," Beth said. "In my new staff role, I'm excited to help bring organizations together to implement our Wisconsin Cancer Plan and continue our cancer control efforts across the state.”

Beth joins our team after a 20-year career with the American Cancer Society, where she developed and oversaw cancer prevention and detection initiatives, strategic business planning, external partnerships, and grant management.

"We are incredibly grateful for Beth's energy, positivity, and cancer control expertise," said Sarah Kerch, Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative director. "Welcoming Beth to our team is a bright spot in this very surreal time!"
You are receiving this email as a member of the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative.
Working together, we will reduce the burden of cancer for everyone in Wisconsin.
CONNECT WITH US