CDRC Events

The first event in the series was held on March 31, 2022, at D.R. Williams Fellowship Hall. The hybrid event included dinner for in-person attendees. The evening included discussions with a panel of cancer survivors and patients in East Gainesville, a presentation on colorectal cancer, conversations about outreach, education and research activities, and a Q&A session.

The Power Over Prostate Cancer Gathering drew a packed crowd of about 200 Black men, family members and other members of the Gainesville community on Feb. 11, 2023, at Springhill Church. The gathering included presentations on prostate cancer prevention and new treatments by UF Health oncologists Thomas Stringer, M.D., and William Mendenhall, M.D., FACR. It also provided the opportunity for attendees to discuss the impact of prostate cancer in small group discussion sessions, ask questions during a panel session and get information about UF cancer research studies.

The Power Over Breast Cancer Gathering drew about 100 Black women, family members and other members of the Gainesville community on Oct. 21, 2023, at Springhill Church. The gathering included presentations on breast cancer prevention and new treatments by UF Health oncologists Lisa Spiguel, M.D. and Adeline M. Deladisma, M.D., M.P.H. It also provided the opportunity for attendees to discuss the impact of breast cancer in small group discussion sessions, ask questions during a panel session and get information about UF cancer research studies.

Drawing about 150 members of the Gainesville community, the Power Over Colorectal Cancer Gathering on May 18, 2024, at Springhill Church was an inspiring day filled with opportunities to learn about colorectal cancer, from prevention and early detection through treatment and survivorship. The gathering included presentations on colorectal cancer prevention and new treatments by UF Health oncologists Thomas George, M.D., FACP, FASCO and Leighton Elliott, M.D. It also provided the opportunity for attendees to discuss the impact of colorectal cancer in small group discussion sessions, ask questions during a panel session and get information about UF cancer research studies.

The Power Over Cancer Gathering on March 29, 2025, drew a packed crowd to learn about breast, ovarian and cervical cancers and their sexual impact, get support, and draw inspiration from cancer survivors. The gathering at Springhill Church included presentations on prevention, early detection and new treatment options by UF Health gynecologic oncologist Kaitlin Nicholson, M.D., and Oluwadamilola Oladeru, M.D., a radiation oncologist at Mayo Clinic. Carolyn M. Tucker, Ph.D., gave a presentation on the sexual impact of these cancers on women and their spouses or partners. Attendees had the opportunity to discuss the impact of cancer in small group discussion sessions, ask questions during a panel session, and learn about participating in UF research studies. Two cancer survivors also shared words of inspiration of hope.

“Together, we can transform information into inspiration and prevention into power,” Pastor Scientist Adrian S. Taylor said at the Power Over Prostate and Testicular Cancer Gathering, which drew a packed crowd of more than 200 men and their loved ones, cancer survivors, researchers, clinicians and health policy leaders. The gathering at Springhill Church aimed to empower men to lead healthy, informed lives by providing high-quality health information on prostate and testicular cancers, get support, ask questions and learn about participating in UF research studies. UF Health oncologists Thomas George, M.D., FACP, FASCO, Paul Crispen, M.D., Daniel Araujo, M.D., and Judith Lightsey, M.D., gave informative presentations on prostate and testicular cancer prevention, early detection and new treatment options.