Bridging Gaps, Building Health with YMCA

SHAPING A FUTURE OF HEALTH EQUITY FOR ALL 

In an age when health disparities challenge under- resourced populations, teamwork between community organizations and health care institutions plays a crucial role in bridging the gap. The partnership between Moores Cancer Center and the YMCA of San Diego County has evolved considerably since its inception in 2021, and today, it stands as a powerful example of how targeted health education and outreach can make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and the collective health of a community. 

DESIGNING IMPACT WITH DATA

One might not expect community building to start with something so calculated as data, but careful analysis of cancer registries, census data and social statistics helps identify the specific health needs of  our area so that outreach efforts can be tailored effectively. Studying the geographical patterns of cancer incidence and outcomes, for instance, helps direct both the “where” and the “how” in oncology programs, and cancer screening and prevention services reach out across San Diego County.  

“We’ve become much more sophisticated in identifying the characteristics of our patients and our communities so that we can better prepare to serve them,” says  Jesse Nodora, DrPH, Moores Cancer Center’s associate director for COE. “By actively engaging with community and looking to local data, we can focus on making the greatest impact — which is a critical part of being an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center.” 

The YMCA collaboration has grown to focus on three regions, each with unique cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic characteristics: 

As its name suggests, the Border View YMCA sits close to the U.S.—Mexico border and serves a predominantly Hispanic/ Latine population. Here, our partnership leverages not only bilingual programming in mobile screenings and “Cancer 101” classes but also engagement events that are thoughtfully designed for cultural relevance. The nearby South Bay YMCA location and Moores Cancer Center also convened focus groups to gather community input on how the LIVESTRONG at the YMCA cancer wellness program could be adapted to be better received by members of the Hispanic community.  

“The heart of our partnership is a bidirectional dialogue,” says Nodora. “It’s not just getting the word out about cancer but listening to the community and learning about how we can best provide what they need.” 

In San Diego’s diverse City Heights neighborhood, the Copley Price YMCA serves a wide variety of refugee populations and asylum seekers from all over the world. Here, our partnership has focused on early cancer detection education, screening events and addressing the hazards of smoking and vaping. This site and several others have also hosted net- working events through the Cancer Health Equity Collaborative, an initiative led by Moores Cancer Center that connects the community with information on cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship support and services throughout  San Diego and Imperial Counties. 

The Jackie Robinson Family YMCA has long been a trusted hub for residents in Southeast San Diego, the heart of the county’s Black and African-American community. Moores Cancer Center is a fixture at monthly Community Health and Resource Fairs hosted by the Y, providing essential wraparound services for many Southeast San Diego families. Serving over 6,000 people a year, the resource fair is led by Dr. Suzanne Afflalo and Wendy Shurelds, both Moores Cancer Center community advisors. 

At the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA branch, Moores Cancer Center has also hosted “Prostate Health 101” sessions to stem the tide of a disease that data shows to be a critical health concern for the African-American community. Prostate cancer is the most diagnosed cancer for Black men, with breast cancer being the most diagnosed for Black women — each accounting for nearly one-third of cancers diagnosed in each sex. Community events at the Y provide valuable information on screening and prevention of all cancer types and foster open conversations about cancer within the community. 

“Our partnership with Moores Cancer Center is key in providing cancer education, program access and services to individuals in San Diego,” says Jen Sedeño, director of well-being implementation for the YMCA of San Diego County. “I am looking forward to the coming year as we continue to work together to expand our reach in surrounding communities.”  

EMPOWERING YOUTH TO EXPLORE

The Jackie Robinson Family YMCA is home to a trailblazing program that brings our partnership to entirely new audiences.  2024 was the second year of ‘The Science Of…’ podcast, a grassroots project that showcases the voices of local teens while exploring the innovative science and breakthroughs of UC San Diego and Moores Cancer Center. This interactive, youth-led podcast has already produced more than 15 episodes of teens interviewing experts from Moores Cancer Center, fostering their curiosity and opening up these young producers and listeners alike to explore careers in science and public service. 

“Through our partnership with Moores Cancer Center and Cloudcast Media, we are empowering our teens to connect with scientists and doctors who are pioneering groundbreaking research,” says Anna Arancibia, executive director of the Jackie Robinson Family YMCA. “We are honored to create a podcast that not only educates but also inspires the next generation to dream big and make a difference.”  

Expansion of the program to more YMCA branches is already underway, and curriculum guides are being developed to integrate podcast content into local schools, further extending its educational reach. 

COMMITTED TO EQUITY AND IMPACT

The partnership between Moores Cancer Center and the YMCA is more than just a series of events, more than mobile cancer screenings and an impactful podcast — it is a strategic effort to address systemic health disparities in San Diego. Members of our COE team are committed to reducing cancer in the region using a thoughtful, inclusive and effective approach to improve the quality of life in our area. “Our community outreach is not about paying lip service,” says Nodora. “It’s about providing access to services in a way that truly reflects our community, involving everyone in a bidirectional dialogue and ultimately meeting and exceeding the needs of people who live here.”