Jhenitza is a Program Manager of Research at Cancer Support Community. In her role, Jhenitza supports the development of novel psychosocial, behavioral, and survivorship research among cancer patients and caregivers. Jhenitza has been working in community-based research since 2018 and across multiple institutions, where her experience spans the cancer care continuum, mainly among Hispanic and Latino communities.
Cancer research funding is not just a line in a budget, it is a lifeline.
Jhenitza was driven to work in cancer research to help improve patient outcomes and quality of life, especially amongst underserved populations. She is passionate about the triad of cancer care- where research, health programs, and health policy must work together to create efficient cancer care personalized for each individual, caregiver, and loved one impacted by cancer.
Cancer research funding is key to innovative advances and decades of scientific progress. Government funding opportunities, like those from the National Institute of Health, determine the number and content of projects to be funded. Cuts to research funding lead to a loss of knowledge, higher healthcare costs, and place patients at risk of suffering and premature death. “It is not just a budget line, it’s a lifeline.”