Members of Voices for a Healthy SouthCoast met with Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) staff on May 16, 2011 to continue the planning process for preventing cancer in fifteen SouthCoast communities. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Cancer Prevention and Control Program, received a five-year cancer prevention grant that now funds a full-time coordinator to work with VOICES over the next five years to address the high levels of obesity and tobacco use and the low level of physical activity found among residents of SouthCoast communities including Fall River, New Bedford and Wareham. Most cancer rates are higher in Fall River and New Bedford than the rest of the state. Click here for photos of previous planning meetings. To learn more about becoming involved In VOICES, contact Nancy Bonell at 508-996-9622 X 25. For more information about the cancer prevention project policy coordinator Maria Evora-Rosa at the Southeast Regional Office of DPH at 508-984-0618.
 

(Top row, left) Gail Merriam of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's cancer prevention program introduces YMCA Southcoast COO/VP Operations and ACHIEVE coach Nancy Bonell to Heidi Elsinger, an intern with the Comprehensive Cancer Program, before the meeting begins. (Top row, center) Southeast Massachusetts cancer control policy coordinator Maria Evora-Rosa opens the planning meeting held at the DPH office on Purchase Street in New Bedford. (Top row, right) Nick Charest of the New Bedford Public Health Office and Cancer Grant youth coordinator Kellen Gonsalves listen as M+R Strategic Service’s Senior Vice President Lori Fresina outlines the tasks for the meeting. (Middle row) Heidi Elsinger, Dr. Joshua Nyambose, senior scientist and policy advisor for DPH, Gail Merriam and Southcoast  tobacco control program coordinator Marilyn Edge share their ideas of what should be included in the plans. (Bottom row) Lori Fresina and Diane :Pickles of M+R Strategic Services facilitate a brainstorming session to select the top action priorities for the grant.