THE CENTER FOR APPALACHIA RESEARCH IN CANCER EDUCATION, OR CARE, received nonprofit status in 2011. For nearly two decades, CARE has maintained a successful track record of securing funding and donations needed to maintain and develop current and future programs. The mission of CARE is to reduce the burden of cancer in Appalachia and rural communities by providing culturally competent health care and health education; educating health care professionals about the distinct cultural and health care needs of communities; and researching, planning, implementing, and evaluating effective health interventions to achieve health equity in cancer education, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
PROJECT HOFFNUNG, OR HOPE, was created in 1997 to help provide cancer outreach and research programs to Amish and Mennonite communities. Named in reference to the old English definition of hope itself, which is trust, Project Hoffnung identifies with the common language of many Amish and Mennonite communities to provide a bridge between the respected beliefs of these cultures and modern advances in breast cancer care. PROJECT HOFFNUNG serves the entire state of Ohio in delivering culturally competent breast health information, free women’s health screenings, and the support needed to navigate the health care system. In short, the mission of PROJECT HOFFNUNG is to prevent the unnecessary death of Amish and Mennonite women from breast cancer. Since its inception, the program has delivered these lifesaving services to over 5,000 women.