Cancer center community event celebrates heritage and wellness

Nearly 200 community members gathered for an evening focused on health, wellness, cancer support and community connection. “Empowering Black Health: A Celebration of Heritage & Wellness” took place Friday, Feb. 28, at the Madam Walker Legacy Center in Indianapolis.

This free event was co-hosted by Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, IU Indy Multicultural Center, IU Indy Black Faculty and Staff Council, and IU School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine.

“The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center is invested in making sure we have quality health outcome for all Hoosiers,” said Ann Kimble-Hill, PhD, associate director of inclusive excellence at the cancer center. “As part of Black History month, this event was designed to make sure we empower Black communities so they can have the best outcomes when they have cancer. This event was all about building trust, transparency and relationships so that the community can view the cancer center as a resource that’s committed to their success.”

Celebrating heritage and wellness, the event offered support and resources for individuals and caregivers facing cancer. A panel discussion on caregiver burnout featured cancer survivors and caregivers sharing their experiences. The conversation highlighted the need for using a support system during the cancer journey and finding moments of joy.

Jennifer Stringer, an IU employee, talked about her experience as a cancer survivor and caregiver for her mother and father during their cancer journeys.

“Most of us just say ‘I’m taking care of my mom’ or ‘I’m taking my dad to the doctor.’ … We don’t think of ourselves as caregivers, but we are,” Stringer said. “When we are caregivers, we’re providing emotional, spiritual, physical support that people need. But I think being a Black caregiver, we’re also warriors and we’re also advocates when our loved ones can’t advocate for themselves.”

The panel participants included Ralph and Denise Islander who faced cancer together, offering support to each other and leaning on their family and church community. Even their granddaughter pitched in to help and offered her grandparents inspiration during their cancer journey.

“We had a lot of joy, and our faith is really, really what keeps us going today,” Denise Islander said.

Vendor and organizational booths highlighted resources and initiatives supporting health, wellness and advocacy. Partner organizations included IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center initiatives including the Komen Tissue Bank, End Lung Cancer Now, and the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement. Additional partners including Pink-4-Ever Ending Disparities, American Cancer Society, and Centers of Wellness for Urban Women. IU Indianapolis Campus Health offered blood pressure screenings to attendees.

Epiphany Dance Collective, an Indianapolis-based African dance company, entertained attendees with a joyous, rhythmic performance to open and close the program.

Indianapolis resident Anita Butts heard about the event from her past involvement as a volunteer with Pink-4-Ever. She said attending Empowering Black Health was inspiring her to get involved with volunteering again.

“I just love being a part of the community,” Butts said. “I think it’s very educational and informative, and just altogether awesome.”