Addressing the burden of cancer in Oregon

The Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) team at the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute aims to identify and address priority issues related to cancer prevention, early detection and screening, and access to cancer care in Oregon and Southwest Washington through grantmaking, research and community outreach and engagement. 

Support for researchers and community members

We collaborate with researchers and scientists to help engage with communities and provide InReach support. We collaborate with community members and prioritize engagement with communities facing a disproportionate burden of cancer in Oregon.

Our catchment area — all 36 counties in Oregon — is reached through the following programs:

• Community grants: Fund the development of sustainable collaborations with Oregon communities to address community-identified cancer needs.
• Events and sponsorships: Support community groups working to help cancer patients and their families, survivors, and researchers.
• Internships: Help high school, undergraduate and graduate students gain experience in cancer research and care.
• Mobile outreach van: Work with local partners to bring tools and resources to help all the people of Oregon lead longer, healthier lives.
• Community Cancer Control Specialists: Deliver community education and provide links to care.
• Scientific Research Advocates: Volunteers who ensure research at OHSU reflects the needs and interests of the cancer community
• The Council: Advisory committee comprised of rural, tribal and state representatives

Advancing community-engaged research

We work closely with the Oregon Clinical Translational Research Institute (OCTRI) Community Research Hub and the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN) to transform research from a scientist–subject interaction into a collaboration. Together, our programs form OHSU’s Community, Outreach, Research and Engagement (CORE) team.