Cancer & COVID-19
Native people are disproportionately affected by chronic diseases and cancers, especially those that compromise the immune system. This puts them at a much higher risk of contracting COVID-19 or having more severe outcomes. It's important that we all continue to do our part to slow the spread of the virus for our vulnerable cancer survivors. We urge our communities to follow public health guidelines and recommendations to help keep our relatives safe and healthy.
COVID-19 Resources for Families in Indian Country
AICAF is closely monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We remain heavily invested in the health and safety of our relatives, and will continue to support the well-being of Indigenous communities across the nation. Check this page often for regular updates and news about the pandemic.
Share our resources with your community
It's important that we all continue to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Native communities. Our team has been following public health recommendations by practicing physical distancing while maintaining social connections, washing our hands regularly with soap and water, and wearing face coverings or masks when we need to go out in public. We encourage Native people everywhere to use these resources and follow public health guidelines to stop COVID-19 in Indian Country.
- AICAF's COVID-19 and Cancer Screening PSA (Nov. 19, 2020)
- AICAF's COVID-19 PSA with CEO Kris Rhodes (April 6, 2020)
- AICAF's COVID-19 PSA with Deputy Director Melissa Buffalo (April 24, 2020)
- AICAF's COVID-19 PSA with Cancer Screening Manager Kendra Roland (May 8, 2020)
- AICAF's COVID-19 PSA with Research Manager Wyatt Pickner (Aug. 7, 2020)
- AICAF's COVID-19 PSA with Communications Specialist Tina MacDonald (Aug. 18, 2020)
- AICAF's COVID-19 PSA with Operations Director Alyssa Beaulieu (Aug. 28, 2020)
- AICAF's COVID-19 PSA with All AICAF Staff (May 22, 2020)
- AHA's Voices for Healthy Kids guest blog by CEO Kris Rhodes
- AICAF's Quarantine Bingo
- COVID-19 & Cancer Screening PSA for Partners
- AICAF's COVID-19 & Commercial Tobacco Use PSA (Nov. 9, 2020)
COVID-19 has not stopped cancer: GET SCREENED
COVID-19 has increased cancer burdens in our communities. Getting screened is crucial for early detection and removing cancer before it becomes deadly. We encourage relatives to continue their regular screenings during the pandemic. Use our resource to learn how to do it safely.
Stay tuned for more episodes in our Cancer & COVID-19 webinar series
Protect our relatives! Wear an AICAF mask to keep our communities healthy
The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are hard to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. AICAF has purchased a limited number of face masks and will be distributing them to families in need at no cost. Order a mask now to help keep our communities safe and healthy.
