Chamorro Cancer Survivors Network: Linking Guam and California in Cancer Survivorship, Patient Navigation and Advocacy

The Chamorro Cancer Survivors Network was created by Guam Communications Network (GCN) in 2006 with support from the Lance Armstrong Foundation and in collaboration with Chamorro (indigenous to the island of Guam) cancer survivors who became involved with GCN's cancer education and research programs and felt inspired to mobilize themselves to address the needs of Chamorro cancer survivors, their families and caregivers in California and on Guam. Those involved in the Network are actively involved with GCN's participation in WINCART (Weaving an Islander Network in Cancer Awareness, Research and Training), a five year NCI funded program partnership with Dr. Sora Park Tanjasiri (PI, California State University-Fullerton), the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and the Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The Network aims to increase knowledge about cancer, improve annual screenings, and build skills as patient navigators, support group facilitators and advocates. This is the first program of its kind in the Chamorro community, serving as a model for other Pacific Islander communities. This presentation explains the social network of interdependence called “inafa'maolek” as the key organizing component of the Network. Inafa'maolek depends on a spirit of cooperation with the essence of compassion. It is about caring, accepting and helping one another with an open heart and mind. For the Chamorro community, interconnectedness is the most effective way to bridge the island and the mainland through family, faith, food and fellowship. Inafa'maolek is therefore a critical component to developing effective and sustainable health promotion programs for Chamorros.