Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Mission Statement

NOVAdance is committed to fostering a diverse, accessible, and inclusive environment to carry out our mission of positivity on Villanova’s campus and in the greater community. NOVAdance has constantly sought growth since its founding in 2013. Part of this ongoing journey included the implementation of the Internal Relations and Inclusion Committee. We are dedicated to educating the NOVAdance community on important topics as we seek to foster a more inclusive environment. 

In recent years, our cumulative 12-hour dance marathon has been modified to be more physically accessible, and NOVAdance is always looking for ways to improve the celebratory event to accommodate all those who participate. Our commitment to equity is rooted in the understanding that each child and family we serve faces unique challenges, and we strive to provide resources and support that address their individual needs. Our unwavering passion for our B+ Heroes and their families helps us understand that cancer doesn’t discriminate, and neither do we.

Want to contact our Inclusion Committee? Send an email to the chair, Ella Thomas

Monthly DEI Spotlights!

  • September

    September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

    Articles to get us thinking about the injustice surrounding childhood cancer

    • “Disparities in Pediatric Oncology: The 21st Century Opportunity to Improve Outcomes for Children and Adolescents With Cancer”

    • “Moving Beyond Patient-Level Drivers of Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Childhood Cancer”

    Story Spotlight

    • Emma’s Story: ‘Cancer Is a Scary Word, Especially for Teenagers Who Often Feel Invincible’

    Questions to think about this month:

    • How can NOVAdance do better in recognizing the disparities in healthcare?

    • What actions can we take to be a more inclusive committee?

    • What is one takeaway from the articles you read and how are you going to apply it to your life?

  • October

    Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

    October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! As we recognize the importance of pediatric cancer, it is also important to acknowledge cancers that affect people throughout adulthood.

    Breast cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the tissues of the breast and can affect both women and men. In the United States, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. This year, approximately 382,640 women are expected to be diagnosed, including 321,910 with invasive breast cancer and 60,730 with non-invasive breast cancer.

    There are currently approximately 4 million breast cancer survivors in the United States, including about 168,000 people living with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. While breast cancer primarily affects middle-aged and older women, age is not the only risk factor.

    Want to learn more? Check out this review from the Indian Journal of Medical Research and explore the resources below!

    As October comes to an end, let's take a moment to reflect on what motivates us to keep pushing forward, especially during challenging times. 

    Learn more:

  • November

    Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

    Villanova celebrates 50 years of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week! Ray Jackson, an Augustinian priest, and a group of Villanova Students started this initiative which now takes place on over 700 campuses and communities! 

    Resources: https://hhweek.org/

    The History of Thanksgiving

    November is the month in which Thanksgiving is celebrated across America. It is commonly recongized as a time to come together with families, but there is a more complex narrative to the history of how Thanksgiving came to be. Moreover, this article serves as our active mission of continuous education on important topics that foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment.

    To learn more visit:

    https://www.potawatomi.org/blog/2020/11/25/the-true-dark-history-of-thanksgiving/ 

  • December

    Happy Holidays!

    As we get closer to the holidays, it’s important to realize that they can look different for everyone, especially children who spend their holidays in the hospital. Their experience is further impacted based on their age, gender, country, culture, and family relationships. Healthcare providers and child life specialists come into play to address these new changes and make the overall experience one that is filled with spirit and joy. 

    Resources: https://www.pediatricnursing.org/article/S0882-5963(23)00391-3/fulltext

    Story Spotlights:  Felicity's Story & Griffin's Story

    Toy Drives

    Toy drives are a great way to help children whose families might not be able to afford holiday shopping this year due to circumstances such as hospital bills. If you want to donate to a toy drive in your home state, search for hospitals in your area that are hosting! 

    Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: https://toydrive.chop.edu/

  • January

    Martin Luther King Day, Microaggressions, and Diversity in Cancer Research

    Martin Luther King Jr.

    Monday, January 20th was Martin Luther King Day. MLK fought for civil rights and social justice and continues to teach us today. We can apply his legacy by stopping the everyday instances of racism and prejudice, known as microaggressions.

    More on microaggressions:

    What are microaggressions? 

    Microaggressions are a big deal: How to talk them out and when to walk away

    What Do Microaggressions Look Like in Healthcare? Here Are Some Examples

    Professionalism: microaggressions in a healthcare setting

    Diversity in Cancer Research

    The lack of diversity within the scientific workforce is an active issue. According to the National Science Foundation, there is a group of underrepresented minorities that lack research in many health stage issues. The drivers of this include disparities in socioeconomic status, housing, transportation, access to clean water, air, food, and health services. There must be cooperation between different sectors to improve affordability, access, and awareness. 

    To learn more, please visit:

    https://cancerprogressreport.aacr.org/disparities/cdpr24-contents/cdpr24-understanding-and-addressing-drivers-of-cancer-disparities/

    https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-center-for-diversity-in-cancer-research-training/why-diversity-in-cancer-research-is-needed.html

  • February

    Black History Month

    Black History Month was created in 1976 by President Ford to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” It is the time to recognize and celebrate the legacies of African American leaders such as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Malcom X, all important civil rights pioneers. 

    More on Black History Month here.

    African American Cancer Disparities:

    There are many disparities and inequities that Black cancer patients face. African Americans have the highest death rate and shortest survival of any racial and ethnic group in the United States for most cancers. Specifically, black women were 40% more likely to die from breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women. These inequities highlight the urgent need for improved access to healthcare in order to address systemic barriers in cancer. 

    Read more here