New Mexico Cancer Council
The New Mexico Cancer Council is a public/private partnership working to reduce the burden of cancer in New Mexico.
Who are we?
The New Mexico Cancer Council is a collaborative effort of diverse public and private partners working together to attack cancer in New Mexico through the development, implementation and evaluation of the New Mexico Cancer Plan. Our goal is to increase access to information, prevention and treatment using innovative and effective programs and policies thus reducing the human and economic burden of cancer and improving the outcomes and quality of life for New Mexicans.
What does the New Mexico Cancer Council do?
The New Mexico Cancer Council’s goals are:
- To provide an overview of the current status of cancer in New Mexico.
- To develop strategies to reduce overall cancer incidence and mortality.
- To provide a forum for communication of cancer-related issues and activities among community groups.
- To provide an improved quality of life for those affected by cancer in New Mexico.
Who can join the New Mexico Cancer Council?
Membership in the New Mexico Cancer Council is open to any organization or person who is interested in reducing the burden of cancer in New Mexico. The Cancer Council’s growing membership includes organizations and individuals who represent diverse professions – all of whom are concerned with alleviating the burden and suffering cancer causes in our state. Constituencies include patient care, research, emotional support services, education, advocacy and policy and media.
While an Executive Committee oversees achievement of the New Mexico Cancer Plan’s goals and objectives, and serves as the decision-making body of the New Mexico Cancer Council, the Cancer Council acts in an advisory capacity to the Executive Committee. Workgroups may be formed as appropriate to address specific issues. There are currently five active workgroups.
The New Mexico Cancer Plan
The New Mexico Cancer Plan is a comprehensive strategy to address the impact of cancer on communities throughout New Mexico. It is the culmination of a multiyear effort by the New Mexico Cancer Council and its state, regional and local partners.
The New Mexico Cancer Plan
Developed by the New Mexico Cancer Council in partnership with survivors, caregivers, health professionals, tribal and community leaders, and policymakers, this plan outlines a shared path forward. It focuses on practical and collaborative strategies to reduce the cancer burden and mobilize resources for this effort.
Workgroups
The goals and objectives of the New Mexico Cancer Plan are accomplished through the dedicated efforts of New Mexico Cancer Council workgroups. These workgroups address specific issues; membership in each workgroup is open to New Mexico Cancer Council members as well as members of the general public. Current workgroups are described below.
Advocacy and Policy Workgroup
This workgroup identifies policy gaps that may inadvertently increase the cancer burden or increase the risk of cancer for New Mexicans, informs partners of state and federal legislative activities and advocacy opportunities related to cancer, and supports coalition-building efforts to address policy change. As a neutral, non-partisan workgroup of the New Mexico Cancer Council, the workgroup achieves its goals to reduce cancer risk factors and improve equitable access to screening, diagnosis, care, and treatment services for all New Mexicans by collecting and analyzing data and information; sharing information through webinars, policy briefs, and other materials; and providing opportunities for coalition-building across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Each year, the Workgroup will develop a workplan to identify specific policy priorities for the year.
For more information, contact
Angie Gomez Martelli at Angie.GomezMartelli@doh.nm.gov or Rob Grilley at rob.grilley@cancer.org.
Native American Workgroup
For more information, contact
Koby Blackwater at ktblackh20@gmail.com.
New Mexico Cancer Patient Navigation Network
The New Mexico Cancer Patient Navigation Network (NMCPNN) works collaboratively to further the goals of the New Mexico Cancer Plan and to align efforts with the American Cancer Society National Navigation Roundtable, Susan G. Komen, National Consortium of Breast Centers and the Oncology Nursing Society. The NMCPNN strives to provide clinical oncology nurse navigators, social work navigators and patient navigators with clear information regarding the Oncology Navigation Standards of Professional Practice. This includes the knowledge and skills all professional navigators (regardless of licensing status, or a nurse, social worker or a patient navigator) should possess to deliver high-quality, competent and ethical services to people impacted by cancer. The NMCPNN is also a Local Navigator Network of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators.
For more information on this workgroup, contact Elba L. Saavedra Ferrer at elsaave@salud.unm.edu or Sandra E. Arellano at Sandra.Arellano@lovelace.com.
Rural Health Equity Workgroup
This workgroup is dedicated to reducing the cancer burden in rural and frontier communities across New Mexico. By promoting best practices and engaging directly with healthcare providers, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), hospitals and health plans, the workgroup ensures that critical resources and expertise reach the communities that need them most.
Through collaboration with community leaders, subject matter experts and rural voices, this workgroup strengthens partnerships that advance cancer-related priorities statewide. Its efforts focus on equity, access and innovation—ensuring that every community, regardless of geography, has the opportunity to benefit from high-quality cancer prevention, treatment and support services.
For more information, contact
Rachel Davis at rachel.davis@cancer.org.
Screening and Early Detection Workgroup
This workgroup aims to improve early diagnosis and access to care and treatment by promoting cancer screening for all eligible New Mexicans. We support the New Mexico Cancer Plan’s strategies to improve cancer screening rates through community outreach, provider education and partnerships with clinics, health systems and communities.
For more information, contact
Laura McGough at lauraj.mcgough@doh.nm.gov or Prajakta Adsul at padsul@salud.unm.edu.
Quality of Life Workgroup
(INACTIVE)
This workgroup aims to improve quality of life throughout the cancer trajectory by addressing the financial, emotional and physical stress associated with a cancer diagnosis. The Quality of Life workgroup has combined with the Albuquerque Cancer Coalition workgroup. The combined workgroup is currently on pause.
For more information, contact
Allison Hendricks-Smith at allison@pinkwarriorhouse.org.