Cancer Coalition of South Georgia wins community service award

5/05/2014

For its work in bringing cancer prevention, early detection and life-saving treatment to thousands of Georgians, the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia was named a winner of the Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation. The coalition, whose partners include the South Health District (8-1) and the Southwest Health District (8-2), is working to prevent cancer and increase survival among the people of South Georgia.

Founded in 2002, the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia was created with the goal of addressing the seemingly impossible problem of cancer in a large, impoverished, rural region of Georgia. The coalition is a collaboration of individuals and organizations across a 32-county community. This unique, diverse group of business and industry leaders, hospital leaders, faith community members, public health officials, physicians, cancer survivors and others serves these South Georgia communities through service, education, research and outreach. Their Community Cancer Screening Program, a nationally recognized model, serves more than 800 patients every year.

Cancer Coalition CEO Diane Fletcher, CFO/COO Jennifer Johnston and Patient Health Navigator Beverly Nembhard received the award in April at the foundation's annual conference in Atlanta.

“It was truly an honor to be recognized by organizations from all over the state for the work we are doing in south Georgia,” said Nembhard. “It means so much to know that our day to day work is helping create a healthier Georgia.”

The coalition was this year’s Collaborative Recipient of the Greene Community Service Award. The Healthcare Georgia Foundation also honored four individuals who volunteer for health care organizations across the state of Georgia. The announcements took place during a special ceremony at the foundation’s sixth statewide convening of nonprofit grantees, partners and community leaders.

“On behalf of the Board and staff of Healthcare Georgia Foundation, we proudly salute the 2014 recipients of the Joseph D. Greene Community Service Award,” said Gary Nelson, Ph.D., the foundation’s president and member of the Georgia Board of Public Health. “Through the dedication and tireless efforts of these heroes for health, Georgians today and tomorrow will benefit greatly from their legacy of servant leadership.” To learn more about the Cancer Coalition of South Georgia, please visit their website at www.sgacancer.org.