On April 9, 150 Delaware Cancer Consortium (DCC) members gathered for their 2024 retreat for presentations by prominent local and national speakers, including four cancer survivors who shared their diagnosis, care, and experience living with cancer.

The theme was Vision. Purpose. Action. Coming Together to Eliminate Cancer Disparities, aligning with DCC’s goal to implement culturally inclusive initiatives that ensure affordable and accessible care.

The Delaware General Assembly established the DCC in 2001 to reduce Delaware’s cancer incidence and mortality rates. Over the past 23 years, the DCC has produced five five-year plans with innovative cancer control recommendations that guide its members and thousands of dedicated volunteers.

“Every year, this event renews our passion to give Delawareans the resources they need to lead healthy lives,” said Governor John Carney. “Since the mid-to-late 1990s, Delaware’s cancer mortality rate has decreased substantially. We still have work to do, but thanks to the dedication of our health care workers and the Delaware Division of Public Health, we are on the right track.”

In the 1990s, Delaware’s cancer death rate ranked second in the nation. Most recent data show the state ranks 15th in cancer mortality and 20th for cancer incidence rate (457.6 per 100,000 in Delaware compared to 442.2 per 100,000 population in the nation), according to the Delaware Cancer Registry for the period 2016-2020.

Since the creation of the Delaware Cancer Treatment Program in 2004, funding for cancer treatments has been provided to 2,009 Delaware residents as of March 30, 2024.

• 13,019 Delaware residents were enrolled in the Screening for Life program between calendar years 2017 and 2023, and 8,303 received free breast, cervical, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer screenings during that time period.
• The Screening for Life program was created in 1997 and expanded by the Delaware Cancer Consortium in 2002. The program began covering lung cancer screenings in 2015.
• Each year, the Screening for Life program provides free breast and cervical cancer screenings to over 1,000 women.

Governor Carney and Lieutenant Governor Bethany Hall-Long signed two proclamations that designate the month of April as Cancer Control Month and Minority Cancer Awareness Month.

The Cancer Control Month designation urges all Delawareans to get screened for cancer when advised to do so and encourages all health care providers to promote cancer screening “as a powerful opportunity to save lives.”  Regular screenings increase the odds of detecting cancer in the early stages, when it is most treatable.  It remains a top priority for the DCC to ensure Delawareans have access to regular screenings and know the recommended guidelines.

According to the Delaware Cancer Registry for the period 2016-2020, 22.4% of new cancer cases in Delaware were detected in the distant stage, compared to 48.3% diagnosed at the local, or early, stage.

“I’m just going to be candid: knowing your cancer risk – as early as possible – can literally be the difference between life and death,” said Lieutenant Governor Hall-Long, who serves on two DCC committees. “The DCC is working tirelessly to raise awareness and increase accessibility to detect and treat cancer for all Delawareans. We have work to do, but I commend these continued efforts.”

The DCC and the Division of Public Health’s Bureau of Cancer Prevention and Control work to ensure every Delawarean has access to timely cancer screenings and treatment through the Screening for Life (SFL) Program and the Delaware Cancer Treatment Program.  Cancer screenings are covered by insurance or SFL.  Delawareans can determine their eligibility for SFL by visiting Healthy Delaware.org or calling the SFL Program at 302-744-1040.

In a nod to pursing full health equity, the Minority Cancer Awareness Month observance notes that cancer disproportionately affects Delaware’s minority communities and urges them to get cancer screenings when advised to do so.

According to the Delaware Cancer Registry, for the period 2016-2020, the all-site cancer mortality rate among non-Hispanic Black Delawareans (171.7 people per 100,000 population) was higher than for non-Hispanic White Delawareans (158.9 people per 100,000 population).

In the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, 36% of non-Hispanic White Delawareans reported having a PSA test to detect prostate cancer in the past two years compared to 26% of non-Hispanic Black Delawareans.  For 2016-2020, 28.3% of new breast cancer cases were detected in the distant stage among non-Hispanic White Delawareans, compared to 36.7% diagnosed at the distant stage among non-Hispanic Black Delawareans, according to the Delaware Cancer Registry.

Elle Sheaffer, a five-year cancer survivor of Newark and distinguished speaker at the retreat, is now a DBCC volunteer and leads a flower-arranging course for Cancer Support Community.

“A lot of people are scared to get help and think they must do it alone, but these resources are here, and they are still helping me thrive,” said Sheaffer.

For more information on the DCC’s initiatives, committees, upcoming events, and the current five-year plan, visit healthydelaware.org/consortium.

NEW CASTLE (March 19, 2024) – The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and Governor John Carney announced additional investments in child care for the upcoming year.

Building on the Governor’s Recommended Budget, which proposes expanding eligibility for Purchase of Care to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and creating over 200 additional ECAP seats, the State will be taking the following actions this year:

• Cap family co-payments at 7% of family income and remove all co-pays for families below 150% of the federal poverty level, ensuring families will pay less out of pocket for child care.
• Increase compensated absence days from five to 10, providing child care centers and homes with additional stability and predictability in their budgets.

When combined with the proposed investments in the Governor’s Recommended Budget, these actions will help more families pay for child care.

“We know how critical the first five years of a child’s life are to future academic and career success,” said Governor John Carney. “Investing in our youngest learners has been a priority of ours from day one, and these investments further that commitment. I want to thank our child care providers for all they do every day to set our children up for future success.”

Since 2017, the administration has more than doubled investments in Purchase of Care and the Early Childhood Assistance Program (ECAP). The Governor’s Recommended Budget for Fiscal Year 2025 proposes investing $83 million in Purchase of Care, compared to $32 million in 2017 and $15.7 million in ECAP, compared to $6.1 million in 2017.

“From birth to 5, the first 1,825 days of a child’s life pave a foundation for the future. That’s why it is essential to support early education with policy and investments – it’s not only good for our kids, but also for our child care workforce and our state’s economy. Affordable child care is a necessity for families. These investments in Delaware’s early education sector show our commitment to families, providers, and the strength of our state,” said Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long.

In addition to these investments, the State worked to keep child care providers open by investing more than $100 million during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thankful for these additional investments which will help support our youngest Delawareans and families,” said Division of Social Services Director Tom Hall. “These program enhancements are a result of conversations and feedback with families, providers, and our federal partners. These investments will help make the purchase of care program more accessible and give providers the boost they need.”

For more information on child care, visit Delaware’s Child Care Consumer Education Website at https://www.mychildde.org/.

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney has ordered Delaware flags to be lowered to half-staff at all state facilities through sunset on Saturday, March 9, 2024, to honor lifelong public servant, Korean War veteran and former Senate Majority Leader Robert J. Voshell on the day of his interment.

Voshell began his public service in high school when he was selected to be a member of the Boys State in 1950 and 1951. He spent his career at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, retiring as director after 40 years of state government service. He donated his time and talents to a number of community groups, including Bayhealth, People’s Place, Carlisle and Houston Fire Companies, American Legion Post 3 and Delaware Safety Council. He was an active member of Avenue United Methodist Church.

“Bob was a true public servant who loved his family and his community,” said Governor Carney. “He always put the needs of his constituents and the community first. He was a real gentleman and a strong leader who was a pleasure to work with. Tracey and I were saddened to learn of his passing. We will keep his family and friends in our prayers.” 

Championing Causes, Transforming Lives: Delaware Nonprofits Encouraged to Apply to the SECC

DOVER, Del.— The State Employees’ Charitable Campaign (SECC) Steering Committee invites Delaware nonprofit organizations to submit an application to participate in the 2024 campaign. Applications must be submitted by March 31, 2024.

In partnership with the United Way of Delaware, the SECC is the primary charitable platform for state employees and retirees to give back to their communities by supporting Delaware nonprofit organizations that provide services to families, children, and adults. In the 2023 SECC, state employees provided much-needed funding to 156 charitable organizations. The 2024 SECC runs September 1 through October 31, 2024.

“Year after year, state employees have demonstrated they are generous with their time and contributions to the SECC,” said Governor John Carney. “Over the past seven years, I have been committed to building on the success of the State Employees’ Charitable Campaign. We are determined to make the 2024 campaign the most impactful one yet.”

Secretary of the Department of Human Resources, Claire DeMatteis, who serves as Chair of the SECC, said, “I encourage nonprofit organizations in our state to continue to participate in this annual charitable campaign so we can reach even more Delawareans who need our support.”

Interested charities must submit their application by 11:59 p.m. on, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Access the application here. To learn if your organization is eligible to participate, please review the information on the Resources for Charities page of the SECC website.

For more information, contact Anna Davis, Statewide SECC Coordinator, by email at SECC@delaware.gov or call (302) 735-6300.

###

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced he intends to nominate Terra Taylor to serve as Commissioner of the Delaware Department of Correction (DOC).

Taylor’s nomination must be approved by the Delaware State Senate.

“Terra’s years of experience within the Department of Correction— starting from her time as a Probation Officer to Chief of Community Corrections to Deputy Commissioner to Acting Commissioner—make her a strong leader for DOC,” said Governor Carney. “I’d like to thank Terra for stepping into this role, and I’m confident she will continue the important work underway at DOC. I look forward to the Delaware Senate considering her nomination.”

Taylor has served as Acting Commissioner since July 2023 and was previously the Deputy Commissioner of DOC. As Deputy Commissioner, Taylor held the Department’s second-highest position with responsibilities for supervising the Department’s four Bureaus and setting direction through policy development, strategic planning, and decision making.

Taylor, who initially joined DOC in 1997, previously served as Chief of Community Corrections and led the bureau that oversees Probation and Parole, pretrial services, the community work release program, electronic monitoring and other supervision programs for more than 10,000 individuals statewide who are housed in Work Release and Violation of Probation facilities or are serving probationary sentences or court-ordered pretrial supervision in the community. The Bureau of Community Corrections has also played an active role in implementing innovative crime reduction initiatives, including the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Projects in the City of Wilmington and Kent County.