Western North Carolina Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative Awarded $38K Grant from Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation
Asheville, NC –The Western Carolina Medical Society (WCMS) is pleased to announce that the Western North Carolina Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative (WNC-CRCSI) has received a $38,000 grant from the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation. This grant supports the second year of a multi-year effort to expand WNC-CRCSI services into Macon, Jackson, Swain, Clay, Cherokee, and Graham counties. WNC-CRCSI Expansion Program offers essential colorectal cancer screenings to average-risk individuals across Western North Carolina.
In the first year of this expansion effort, the program established partnerships with Blue Ridge Health, Vecinos, and Community Care Clinics in Franklin and Highlands-Cashiers to expand access. Program outcomes were presented at the MAHEC CRC Health Equity Summit in March 2025 and reviewed at the Southeastern Colorectal Cancer Consortium Conference in June 2025.
“We are grateful to the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation for their continued support of the WNC-CRCSI,” said WNC-CRCSI Medical Director Michael Newcomer, MD. “The second year of this expansion effort involves building partnerships with local clinics and colonoscopy providers, coordinating patient navigation, and negotiating commitments for discounted or unreimbursed colonoscopies and cancer care. We couldn’t do this life-saving work without their support,” added Dr. Newcomer.
About the WNC Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative
The WNC Colorectal Cancer Screening Initiative (WNC-CRCSI) currently provides vital colorectal cancer screening to average-risk, uninsured, low-income patients between the ages of 45 and 75 in Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, Yancey, Transylvania, McDowell, Haywood, Rutherford, and Polk Counties. The program is run by Digestive Health Partners (a gastroenterology practice in Asheville) in collaboration with local federally qualified community health centers, WCMS’s Project Access, independent primary care offices, and the American Cancer Society. The program was founded by local physician, Dr. Michael Newcomer of Digestive Health Partners, who remains the Medical Director of the program. Started in 2016, the WNC-CRCSI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) housed within WCMS.
About The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation
The Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation was established on February 1, 2019, as a 501(c)3 public charity to improve the health and well-being of Highlands, Cashiers, and surrounding communities. Together with generous community support, the Health Foundation aims to make positive and lasting change by supporting projects and programs that improve health and well-being. The Health Foundation has awarded 180 grants to 103 organizations totaling over $11.8 million, directly addressing the needs of our community. Visit www.HCHealthFnd.org to join us in Lifting Health and Well-Being, Together.
About The Western Carolina Medical Society
The Western Carolina Medical Society’s mission is to advocate for healthy communities, increase access to affordable healthcare, fight health inequities, and promote wellness in WNC. Since 1885, WCMS has been respected for its leadership and innovation in addressing issues of access to affordable health care, disparities in health, and wellness promotion. Throughout its history, WCMS has been at the forefront of working collaboratively with area organizations to address the health challenges facing our community’s residents.
For more information about the Western Carolina Medical Society, contact Niki Duff, Director of Development & Communications at niki@mywcms.org or visit www.mywcms.org.
