Ribbons of Hope

Project Description

Ribbons of Hope is the Polk County Health Department’s cancer prevention and screening program, providing free cancer screenings and patient navigation services to hundreds of uninsured and underinsured residents each year. In fiscal year 2024 alone, the program served more than 1,800 individuals—helping detect cancer earlier, reduce barriers to care, and connect people to life-saving treatment and support resources.

The Ribbons of Hope team meets people where they are by attending dozens of community outreach events every year, focusing on populations who may face greater barriers to preventive care and higher cancer risk. The program offers screenings for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancers.

In addition to screenings, Ribbons of Hope places a strong emphasis on education—providing one-on-one guidance and community presentations to help people understand cancer risk factors, the importance of regular screening, and what to expect during diagnosis and treatment. Together, these efforts are helping reduce disparities and improve cancer outcomes across Polk County.