The Pacific Northwest is a global leader in cancer research, home to innovative science and transformational studies across our region. Yet not all communities benefit equally from these advances. Native American and Alaska Native communities throughout Washington and Oregon face higher rates of cancer diagnoses than the general population—and, in Washington, a higher rate of death from cancer. These disparities are compounded by persistent barriers to screening and treatment: long travel distances, limited transportation, under-resourced clinics, and a lack of culturally responsive care. Significant gaps in public health data, including frequent race misclassification, also hide the true burden of cancer in Native communities.
Below are two ways the Kuni Foundation is supporting our partners’ vital efforts to work closely with Native communities to improve access to screenings, cancer treatment and care in order to improve outcomes.
Increasing Native Radiation Oncology Access: Disparities and Solutions (INROADS) – University of Washington and Washington State University
Backed by nearly $1.5 million from a Kuni Foundation Discovery Grant, the INROADS project is reshaping how American Indian and Alaska Native patients access radiation therapy—one of the most common and travel-intensive forms of cancer treatment. Led by Dr. Lia Halasz at the University of Washington and Drs. Dedra Buchwald, Clemma Muller, and Patrik Johansson at Washington State University, the project combines geospatial mapping with community-driven insights to identify where access breaks down and how it can be improved.
The team is developing a culturally informed radiation oncology toolkit, creating provider education tailored for Native patients, building a new statewide network of radiation oncology centers, and adding a dedicated patient navigator to help Native patients receive timely, guideline-aligned care. As the work continues, INROADS is building a new model for equitable cancer treatment—one that honors culture, expands access, and strengthens outcomes for hundreds of patients across Washington.
Addressing Disparities in Pancreatic Cancer Care in Native American Communities in Oregon – Oregon Health & Science University
Supported by a $900,000 Discovery Grant, this project is addressing one of the most urgent cancer challenges facing Native American communities in Oregon: disproportionately high rates of pancreatic cancer—one of the deadliest cancers in the U.S. Led by Dr. Claymore Kills First, a board-certified oncology pharmacist and Tribal member, and Dr. Jonathan Brody, a nationally recognized pancreatic cancer researcher at OHSU, this effort combines scientific expertise with trusted relationships among Oregon Tribes.
The team is engaging directly with Tribal leaders, Native patients, and healthcare providers to understand barriers to early diagnosis, clinical trial participation, and culturally responsive care. Together, they are building a roadmap for Tribal-centered cancer care and establishing the first-ever Native American pancreatic cancer tissue and genetic registry—a groundbreaking resource that could illuminate environmental and genetic contributors to pancreatic cancer risk and guide future therapies. This tribally guided approach is strengthening trust, honoring sovereignty, and laying a foundation for improved outcomes for Native patients across Oregon.
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We are honored to partner with these researchers, health systems, and Tribal communities who are working every day to improve cancer care and access for Native peoples in the Northwest and beyond. Together, we can build a future where every community benefits from the region’s scientific excellence—and where culturally informed, equitable cancer care is the standard for all.
