Case Comprehensive Cancer Center raises cancer awareness for Black families at annual block party

On June 13, part of East 66th Street was transformed into more than just a roadway—it became a place of connection, care and conversation. In front of the Warren E. Anderson MidTown Collaboration Center, families, health professionals and community leaders gathered for the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) Black Family Cancer Awareness event.

The goal of the day was clear: to meet people where they are by providing free health services, information about local resources and education around cancer for the nearly 150 community members in attendance.

Now in its second year, Case CCC's "block party" marked the continued evolution of Black Family Cancer Awareness, an initiative that began in 2021 as a national effort of the Oncology Center of Excellence under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to address cancer disparities affecting Black families and to raise awareness of cancer across generations. Case CCC—a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center made up of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals and Cleveland Clinic—first joined the campaign by hosting an online event focused on clinical trials. The strong community response to that virtual conversation inspired organizers to keep building—eventually arriving at the in-person event.

A wide range of free health services was offered throughout the day. Case CCC provided prostate cancer screenings, Cleveland Clinic offered mammograms, University Hospitals gave gynecological exams and A1C testing, the City of Cleveland Department of Public Health conducted blood pressure checks and STI screenings, and Care Alliance’s Big Blue Dental Bus delivered dental and oral cancer screenings.

Education and dialogue were also central to the day’s programming. Both the Men’s and Women’s Health Panels, the latter moderated by WKYC Channel 3’s Danielle Wiggins, brought together experts and advocates to discuss cancer.

For organizers, the impact of the event goes far beyond a single day. “Through Black Family Cancer Awareness, a number of organizations partner together to provide services, resources and information in the neighborhood while also striving to build relationships with those we are serving,” said Kristina Austin, director of community engagement at Case CCC. “It feels good to meet people where they are and be able to give them what they need in that moment. We look forward to making a significant and more lasting impact each year.”

As music played, neighbors talked and families moved from tent to tent, Black Family Cancer Awareness stood as a reminder that building healthy communities through meaningful change often starts right on the block.