Corene Davis Graham Cancer Telethon
2025 Event Information
Join us for our second annual Corene Davis Graham Cancer Telethon in recognition of Cancer Survivors Month. This event, modeled after the beloved “Jerry Lewis Telethon,” serves as an essential fundraiser for our community, focusing on accessible health resources, particularly for Black women and other marginalized groups. We aim to engage our communities in vital health discussions, encourage participation in screenings, and promote healthy lifestyles—all while honoring and celebrating cancer survivors. Statistics show concerning disparities in cancer care, particularly affecting Black women. Our mission is to improve access to care and develop effective risk reduction strategies, and your support at this event can help us achieve that.
Our desire is for Black Alaskans to be healthy and well in every way a person can be well. This program aims to celebrate cancer survivors and bring awareness to National Cancer Survivors Month.
About Corene Elizabeth
Davis Graham
Corene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, auntie, friend and mentor to many. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining, traveling, and helping others. She deeply cared for her community, especially her church family where she took pride and pleasure in singing in the Senior Choir every fifth Sunday. Corene served on several committees andparticipated in various organizations. She served in various houses under Prince Hall Affiliation for Women: Daughter of Al Hejaz Court 3 Daughters of Isis PHA; Loyal Lady for Order of the Golden Circle and Sister for Order of Eastern Star. She was an active member until 2017 although she had been living out of state for a number of years.
Growing up Corene was a member of Mill Branch Baptist Church and joined New Hope Baptist Church in Anchorage. When she returned to Whiteville in 1999, she joined Central Missionary Baptist Church where she faithfully served until the Lord called her home. Worshiping onSundays was the best day of her week. It allowed her a chance to connect with other Christians while praising the Lord. She loved giving God her best to include wearing the finest Sunday outfits with matching shoes, hats and accessories.
She leaves behind to cherish loving memories: her husband Ellis Graham of Whiteville, North Carolina; son, Tony Davis of Anchorage, Alaska; daughters, Celeste Hodge Growden (Alan) of Anchorage, Alaska; and Nadena Graham of Whiteville, North Carolina; two brothers Roscoe Davis (Frances) of Glen Burnie Maryland; and Walter Davis who proceeded her in death; one sister Beatrice Dunbar who preceded her in death; three grandchildren, Celeisa Hodge (Andre Purge) of Anchorage, Alaska; Celeina Hoffman (Justin) of Chugiak, Alaska; Faith Graham of Whiteville, North Carolina; and one great granddaughter, Hailee Hoffman of Chugiak, Alaska; a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends such as Daniel Curtis Hill of Whiteville, NC.
2024
2024 Speakers
Dr. Vida Henderson is a behavioral scientist and Assistant Professor in the Public Health Sciences Division at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. She is also the Deputy Associate Director for the Cancer Consortium’s Office for Community Outreach and Engagement. Her research focuses on health services utilization along the cancer continuum, particularly in underserved populations and high-risk communities. An expert in minority and gender cancer inequities, health communication and community-engaged research, her goal is to improve cancer inequities by exploring multi-level associations between social determinants of health and physical and behavioral outcomes. Dr. Henderson received her PhD in Public Health from the University of Illinois Chicago, a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Master of Public Health from University of Michigan and a Master of Fine Arts from Queens University of Charlotte.
Dr. Henderson’s current work is largely focused on using storytelling techniques in multi-media video interventions to educate audiences and facilitate clinical decision-making. She is currently leading an NCI-funded randomized controlled trial testing the efficacy of a culturally tailored decision aid video promoting genetic counseling and testing among Black women with a hereditary risk for breast cancer; her team also developedthe tool. She is also co-leading studies funded by the American Cancer Society and the V Foundation to develop digital media aimed at increasing awareness and facilitating decision making about clinical trial participation among Black patients diagnosed with breast cancer and among Black communities. Her past work focused on developing patient navigation programs for uninsured and underinsured individuals to increase access to cancer screenings in community health clinics. Health equity, inclusion, and representation are central to Dr. Henderson’s work.
