LAC LA BICHE - The Lakeland Métis Nation Association has been awarded $600,000 for cancer screening awareness programs through the provincial Cancer Research in Screening Prevention Program.
According to information from the government of Alberta, the Cancer Research in Screening and Prevention Program is providing about $3 million to support cancer prevention and screening initiatives to improve the health outcomes for residents of Alberta.
Melina Power, president and CEO of the Lakeland Métis Nation Association, praised the funding.
“As a two-time cancer survivor, I know first-hand that early detection saves lives. This funding empowers us to raise awareness and deliver culturally relevant education in our Métis communities, ensuring citizens have the tools and knowledge to take charge of their health,” Power said.
The funding will support research, education, marketing, and public policy development.
“Detecting cancer early is crucial to saving lives, and Alberta’s government continues to make early detection more accessible and easier to navigate,” reads the information from the provincial government.
According to Power, the $600,000 will be spread over three years. The funding will go toward hosting information sessions and bringing in nurse practitioners who are familiar with cancer to speak at seminars for Métis citizens served by the Lakeland Métis Nation Association.
“Each year we’re going to have $200,000 to inform our Métis citizens on how to monitor their health, look for early signs of cancer, and how to advocate for their health, and to get proper early screening,” she said.
The organization is hoping that over the next three years, there will be an increase in Métis people getting screened earlier.
Without early detection, it is very difficult to treat and get rid of cancer, she said. A lot of people don’t discover that they have cancer until they’re in the later stages, where the outcomes aren’t as favourable as opposed to detecting the disease early, explained Power.
“We think this will add to longevity of folks if they’re able to detect cancer early,” she said. “We’re looking forward to putting on the information sessions and to gather our folks together in a culturally relevant manner to disseminate this information to them. So, we see it as a very positive thing.”
Provincial funds
The Lakeland Métis Nation Association was one of four organizations in Alberta who received funding through the provincial Cancer Research in Screening and Prevention Program.
Alberta Health Services will receive $343,518 for optimizing screening for subsequent primary cancers in recipients of hematopoietic cell transportation.
Siksika Health Services will receive $997,850 for cancer screening and prevention.
And the University of Alberta will get $987,000 for a Phase 3 randomized trial of prostate cancer screening using high resolution micro-ultrasound versus MRI.
According to the government of Alberta, eligible Alberta-based health agencies and organizations, post-secondary institutions, non-profits, First Nations and Métis communities, as well as municipalities, can apply for funding under the program.
