April 23, 2025
Faculty and students from the UNC School of Nursing partnered with the Angelic Warrior Foundation (AWF) to launch and deliver Project GRACCE (Getting Real About Colorectal Cancer Education), a community-led initiative focused on raising awareness of colorectal cancer—particularly early-onset cases—through evidence-based education across North Carolina.
Jasmine Inthavong and Jacqueline Tamayao lead a
Project GRACCE education session.
During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, faculty member Rachel Hirschey, PhD, RN, and students Jasmine Inthavong and Jacqueline Tamayao collaborated with the foundation to educate local communities about colorectal cancer risk, prevention, and screening. Dr. Hirschey, along with Leslie Sharpe, PhD, RN, also mentored UNC nursing graduate student Jasmine Graham in helping to develop the project and train speakers.
With training and funding provided through a community outreach grant from the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center—secured with support from Dr. Hirschey, a board member of the Angelic Warrior Foundation—AWF led the development and delivery of GRACCE sessions across North Carolina. UNC SON students Jasmine and Jacqueline led two GRACCE sessions on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Additional sessions were provided at North Carolina Central University, Winston-Salem State University, NC State University, and Wake Forest University
“It’s been an honor to support the Angelic Warrior Foundation in this powerful work,” said Dr. Hirschey. “Their leadership is creating real change by bringing vital education directly into communities.”
Early results show significant increases in attendees’ knowledge about colorectal cancer; community and scientific dissemination is in progress. GRACCE continues to expand its reach through AWF’s ongoing outreach.
