Our Work
Mountains of hope and comprehensive cancer programs
Sun Safety Project
The Sun Safety Project promotes skin cancer and melanoma awareness and encourages the use of sunscreen through environmental change. The Coalition has placed 62 sunscreen dispensers across 13 counties in partnership with 19 community-based organizations including public pools, state and city parks, libraries, playgrounds, and other outdoor recreation areas. By providing easy access to sunscreen across the state, we hope to decrease the incidence and mortality rates of skin cancer and melanoma over time. Our 2024, 2025, 2026, and multi-year partners are highlighted in blue, green, red, and orange respectively. Please reach out to us if you are interested in becoming a Sun Safety Project partner!
Growing Hope Program
The Growing Hope Program is a food-is-medicine program that aims to provide fresh, locally-grown produce to cancer patients and their families receiving care in WV. In 2021,
two cancer care hospitals and two WV-based farms and farming organizations implemented the Growing Hope
Program. This program has since expanded into eleven hospitals that provide cancer care and eight WV-based farms and farming organizations. The Growing Hope Program
addresses food insecurity among cancer patients as well as increases feelings of hope and community service among participants. As of 2025, the Growing Hope Program has served individuals from all 55 WV counties and 10 counties in bordering states with over 2,000 bags of fresh produce from state-based
farms.
HPV Best Practice Implementation Project
The HPV Best Practice Implementation Project is to increase the number of HPV vaccines initiated and the number of HPV vaccine series completed in the state of West Virginia utilizing evidence-based practices including provider reminders, patient reminders, education, provider assessment and feedback, and motivational interviewing. In partnership with the West Virginia Cancer Control Collaborative Partnership, the American Cancer Society, the West Virginia Immunization Network, and the West Virginia Primary Care Association, the Coalition implemented this project in 2025 with clinics from three Federally Qualified Health Centers. Since implementation, these clinics have given over 250 HPV vaccinations.
Subcommittee Projects in 2025
Prevention
The Prevention subcommittee chose to focus on personal health and fitness as a project for the year. They funded the Clay County Family Resource Network to begin aerial yoga classes. They also chose to support the Southern Highlands Community Health Center with their tobacco use prevention programming.
Early Detection
The Early Detection subcommittee will be supporting a Lung Cancer Screening Webinar which will be available to providers over the next year. They have also supported FaithHealth Appalachia in their transportation support project in partnership with Routes to Recovery to assist in transporting individuals to cancer screening appointments.
Quality of Life
The Quality of Life subcommittee has assisted in creating an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Needs Assessment for AYA patients. They have also supported the creation of an Oncofertility and Sexual Health Environmental Scan. The subcommittee has also provided scholarships for children to attend Camp Winaca, a summer camp for children diagnosed with cancer and blood diseases. They also provided scholarships through the American Psychosocial Oncology Society.
Contact Us
Lauren Wright, DSL, MPH
Program Director, Cancer Prevention and Control
WV Cancer Control Collaborative Partnership and Mountains of Hope Coalition
WVU Cancer Institute
Phone: 304-293-2370
Email Us
Let's chat!
Have questions about our membership? Need guidance on resources? Looking to become a partner? Have a cancer success story to share?
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