Claudia Hardy’s Mission: Advancing Breast Cancer Care in Alabama’s Rural Communities
Claudia Hardy has discovered her life’s purpose in her role as the Director of Community Health Access and Relations at the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the state’s sole National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Center. She is dedicated to bringing cancer resources and preventive care to communities in Alabama’s Black Belt, similar to the one she was raised in.
She points out the challenges faced by rural communities, such as the lack of public transportation and the difficulty of understanding complex medical terminology. Additionally, having the right insurance to access comprehensive treatment is another hurdle.
Claudia’s personal experiences in these rural areas provide her with a unique perspective on their needs. She grew up in what she later realized was a medically underserved area and a food desert, where the only food access might be a dollar store.
She continues to explore the implications of these limitations, especially for Black women. When her sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose to receive treatment in Montgomery rather than commuting to Birmingham, Claudia began to understand the barriers faced by Black women with breast cancer living in rural counties.
Motivated by her sister-in-law’s experience and the lack of outreach to these communities, Claudia initiated a new program to offer early breast cancer education and screening to Black women in rural areas of Alabama’s Black Belt.
With the support of a Gilead community oncology grant, Claudia launched A Family Affair, a program aimed at supporting Black breast cancer survivors and their families, particularly those at high risk. The program spans the entire healthcare journey, from screening to survivorship.
Claudia’s team, known as “natural helpers,” consists of trusted individuals who bring customized support and resources to their communities. They serve 26 counties in rural Alabama and Mississippi, each with unique needs, but all share a common commitment to their community.
“What I hope to do with A Family Affair is to share resources with Black women who have gone through breast cancer, particularly in these rural communities,” says Claudia. “And I want to bring in experts who can teach them things that’ll hopefully have a long lasting impact on their lives.”
She points out the challenges faced by rural communities, such as the lack of public transportation and the difficulty of understanding complex medical terminology. Additionally, having the right insurance to access comprehensive treatment is another hurdle.
Claudia’s personal experiences in these rural areas provide her with a unique perspective on their needs. She grew up in what she later realized was a medically underserved area and a food desert, where the only food access might be a dollar store.
She continues to explore the implications of these limitations, especially for Black women. When her sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer and chose to receive treatment in Montgomery rather than commuting to Birmingham, Claudia began to understand the barriers faced by Black women with breast cancer living in rural counties.
Motivated by her sister-in-law’s experience and the lack of outreach to these communities, Claudia initiated a new program to offer early breast cancer education and screening to Black women in rural areas of Alabama’s Black Belt.
With the support of a Gilead community oncology grant, Claudia launched A Family Affair, a program aimed at supporting Black breast cancer survivors and their families, particularly those at high risk. The program spans the entire healthcare journey, from screening to survivorship.
Claudia’s team, known as “natural helpers,” consists of trusted individuals who bring customized support and resources to their communities. They serve 26 counties in rural Alabama and Mississippi, each with unique needs, but all share a common commitment to their community.
“What I hope to do with A Family Affair is to share resources with Black women who have gone through breast cancer, particularly in these rural communities,” says Claudia. “And I want to bring in experts who can teach them things that’ll hopefully have a long lasting impact on their lives.”
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