Flemingdon Health Centre

FHC is a community-based nonprofit organization that offers free health services to the Flemingdon and Thorncliffe Park neighbourhoods in Toronto, primarily serving newcomer and low-income populations. Its solution aims to bridge the gaps that disproportionately impact equity-deserving communities. By partnering with other health and community-based organizations, it plans to expand an existing community health ambassador program to educate target populations about colorectal cancer. This approach also incorporates bot technology to identify eligible clients and send screening reminders to those with a primary care physician.

“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death but when detected early – at stage 1 – survival rates jump to over 90 percent,” explains Andrea Seale, CEO, Canadian Cancer Society. “Through this Innovation Challenge, we have an incredible opportunity to increase colorectal cancer screening participation rates for those that are underserved by the cancer system, so that more people have every opportunity to live long, healthy lives.”

“We have the technological capabilities for the early detection of colorectal cancer, but many marginalized communities are hindered by lack of access,” said Krista Jones, Chief Delivery Officer, MaRS Discovery District. “These winning solutions met the goal of this Innovation Challenge to find ways to break down these barriers and have the potential to save lives and transform the way we approach early detection.”

Challenges:

Innovating for Everyone: The Colorectal Cancer Early Detection Challenge