Project: The My Health My Choice project began with funding from the Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention in 2017. The project was led by Julie Armin, PhD, at The University of Arizona, and Heather Williamson, DrPH, at Northern Arizona University (NAU) with guidance from a Community Advisory Board. My Health My Choice (MHMC) was adapted from an evidence-based cancer screening education program, “Woman Be Healthy,” in collaboration with community partners HOPI Cancer Support Services and Tucson Indian Center and Community Health Educators Angela Nesewytewa, Marissa Adams, and Jessica Onsae, and other community input. MHMC was then pilot tested with community partners. In 2023, Darold Joseph, PhD (Hopi), at NAU—a long-term advisor to the team—took over from Dr. Williamson as co-PI and in 2024, the team received American Cancer Society funding through NAU’s Center for Native American Cancer Health Equity. Current funding is focused on understanding the role of caregivers and supporters in cancer screening among Native American women with IDD, conducting further testing of MHMC, and evaluating implementation for broader dissemination of the program.

Logo explaination by the artist:

The hands symbolize healing hands - not only the hands of caregivers, providers, and family members but the hands of the community itself. They reflect love, strength, and the care we can give to one another.

The spiral rising from the hands represents the migrations we each experience throughout our lives. Every individual facing cancer walks a personal path marked by challenge, growth, and transformation. No two journeys are the same, yet each holds the same meaning. 

The spiral also reflects the exchange of wisdom. As we move through hardship, we gather lessons - about courage, faith, love, endurance, and hope. When we share those lessons with one another, we pass forward goodness. Healing becomes more than physical; it becomes relational and communal. One person's strength becomes another person's encouragement.