Fall Meeting 2025: Rooted in Partnership, Growing in Purpose | | |
The 2025 Fall Meeting was a jam-packed day that highlighted collaboration across programs, strategies to strengthen cancer prevention, screening, and survivorship, and the release of the new South Dakota Cancer Plan for 2026-2030.
Some highlights:
- Sessions and discussion panels covered key topics such as HPV and colorectal cancer screening and treatment, access to supportive services, working with priority populations, and cancer advocacy.
- Networking time allowed partners to share updates and identify new opportunities for collaboration.
- A data presentation highlighted progress in South Dakota over the past 15 years, including improvements in tobacco use, HPV vaccination, cancer screening, and survival rates, as well as areas where continued work is needed.
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Partners were introduced to the new 2026-2030 Cancer Plan, which includes new priorities such as a focus on prostate cancer screening, the addition of head and neck cancers to the priority related to HPV prevention, and a new emphasis on improving pediatric cancer survivorship and supportive care.
- A World Café-style discussion encouraged small-group conversations around the goals and objectives of the new South Dakota Cancer Plan. This format supported open dialogue, shared learning, and creative problem-solving in a more informal setting. The small-group conversations emphasized the importance of telehealth in supporting early detection and patient education, the value of strong and consistent partnerships, and the need for proactive counseling services for survivors and caregivers.
Please check out the presentations and materials from our excellent speakers. Thank you to attendees, presenters, and facilitators for contributing to another successful meeting!
| | Next Steps: Turning Ideas into Action | | |
As December approaches, it's time to reflect on our previous task force outcomes and successes and jump into action planning for the year ahead!
Coalition partners are asked to sign up for one or more Coalition three task forces - Prevention, Screening, and/or Survivorship - and to share which 2026-2030 Cancer Plan strategies you think those groups should focus on next year.
Your suggestions, along with ideas from the World Café session at the Annual Meeting, are helping shape the strategy options task forces will review in December. Those World Café notes are being built into the virtual whiteboards for action planning, ensuring the work from the Fall Meeting flows directly into what comes next.
Please sign up for task forces and submit strategy ideas here.
Check out upcoming task force meeting dates here - calendar holds for the year are being sent as task force members join.
Questions? Contact Megan.
| | Jill Ireland Receives 2025 Cancer Coalition Champion Award | | |
The South Dakota Cancer Coalition proudly presented the 2025 Cancer Coalition Champion Award to Jill Ireland of the American Cancer Society at the Coalition’s Fall Meeting on Oct. 30 in Mitchell.
For the past 20 years, Jill has been a leader in South Dakota’s cancer prevention and control efforts and a trusted partner within the Coalition. Through her work with ACS, she has advanced public awareness around cancer screenings and early detection, supported access to affordable health care coverage, and championed interventions to reduce tobacco use and exposure.
Jill has also represented ACS on numerous statewide task forces and coalitions, contributing her expertise and passion at countless public health conferences and meetings. Her long-standing commitment to collaboration has strengthened cancer control efforts and helped improve outcomes for South Dakotans affected by cancer.
The award was presented by David Benson, one of Jill’s ACS colleagues who nominated her for the honor. Jill’s leadership, dedication, and partnership embody the spirit of the Cancer Coalition Champion Award and the Coalition’s vision of every South Dakotan free from the burden of cancer.
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From left to right: Megan Myers, South Dakota Cancer Coalition Coordinator; Jill Ireland, American Cancer Society Associate Director for State Partnerships; David Benson, ACS CAN Senior State and Local Campaigns Manager. | | New Caregiver Support Program Launches | | |
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How You Can Help
Refer Caregivers
Know someone caring for a loved one with cancer? Connect them to the program.
Volunteer
Those with cancer caregiving experience are welcomed to share insights or serve as peer supporters.
Donate or Sponsor Events
Help provide meaningful breaks for caregivers. All donations and sponsorships will be gratefully acknowledged in program materials and events.
Donations may include:
- Coffee, meals, or snacks
- Event space or activity sponsorships (escape rooms, art classes, etc.)
- Supplies for recreational or wellness activities
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Support Group Meeting Info
Noon
Second Thursday of the month
Touchmark at All Saints
111 W 17th St
Sioux Falls
Zoom Link
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Active Generations and the Cancer Coalition are excited to announce the launch of the Cancer Caregiver Program, created to support unpaid, informal caregivers of individuals with cancer.
While online resources are widely available, there is a crucial need for in-person support - a space where caregivers can gather, connect, and build community. This program is meant to fill that gap, offering meaningful opportunities for caregivers to feel seen, heard, and supported.
The new program offers:
- Support groups and social events
- Educational classes
- One-on-one case management
- Peer-to-peer support connections
As part of the program, the Cancer Caregiver Support Group will hold its first meeting at noon CT Dec. 11.
All caregivers are welcome. This group offers a safe, compassionate space to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of the caregiving journey.
Meetings will be held the second Thursday of each month at Touchmark at All Saints in Sioux Falls. A virtual option via Zoom is also available.
For more information or to RSVP, please email Meghan Clark or 605-333-3312.
| | | Spotlight on Survivorship | |
The True Cost of Getting Cancer in Your 20s, 30s, and 40s
A growing body of evidence shows a steady rise in cancer diagnoses among adults under 50. The trend was first flagged in the late 2000s, when epidemiologist Rebecca Siegel at the American Cancer Society noticed increasing colon cancer rates among people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s. That early signal ultimately contributed to lowering the recommended age for colorectal screening from 50 to 45 in 2018.
Since then, researchers have documented increases in several other cancers in younger adults, including cervical, stomach, melanoma, rectal, and uterine cancers. Some of the rise reflects better detection through expanded imaging and genetic testing, but experts agree that screening alone cannot account for the full trend - particularly for colorectal cancer. The underlying causes are still unclear.
While scientists work to understand the drivers, the impact on individuals and the healthcare system is already significant. Younger adults typically do not have the financial safety nets available to older adults - no Medicare, fewer savings, and often less job flexibility. A young cancer diagnosis is estimated to cost an average of $250,000 over a lifetime. Many patients lose income, drain retirement accounts, or face bankruptcy.
Employers are also feeling the strain: cancer is now their top healthcare cost concern, contributing to a 9 percent rise in employer-sponsored insurance premiums this year.
Full article
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Partner Press
Cancer News from South Dakota
| | New Sanford gift to grow presence in Rapid City | | |
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Sanford Health announced on Nov. 17 that it will use a $300 million gift from Denny Sanford to build a new medical center in Rapid City that will include an oncology center.
Bill Gassen, president and CEO of Sanford Health, announced the gift during a Rapid City event that drew numerous local and state dignitaries.
The move will increase competition between Sanford Health and Monument Health.
Monument operates a hospital in Rapid City, plus additional facilities there and in 13 other communities in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming.
Monument Health President and CEO Paulette Davidson said Monument has been a “consistent and supportive” presence in the Black Hills for 45 years and will “remain here for generations to come.”
Full article
| | | Upcoming Events & Webinars | | Want to help plan upcoming Cancer Coalition events such as the Summer Social and the annual Fall Meeting in October? We're looking for committee members interested in membership and marketing! Contact Megan Myers for more info. | | Upcoming Task Force Meetings | | |
December 8
January 6
March 3
May 5
July 7
August 4
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Screening
all 10:30 am CT
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December 10
January 14
March 11
May 13
July 8
August 12
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December 18
January 15
March 19
May 21
July 16
August 20
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Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Resources
December 2
Webinar
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Patient-Centered Dosing in Metastatic Breast Cancer
December 3
Webinar
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American Cancer Society Self-Collection Webinar Series
Preparing for HPV Self-Collection Testing: System Readiness & Tracking
December 4
Webinar
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The Role of Science, Technology, and Communication in Advancing Healthful Foods and Diets: A Workshop
December 5
Webinar
| | Grant & Award Opportunities | |
| How did you like this email? | | | | Funding for this publication was made possible (in part) by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The views expressed in written materials or publications do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. | | | | |
