Foundation Reflects on 2021 Achievements
In 2021, the world faced more surprises, ups and downs, and starts and restarts in a second, turbulent pandemic year. But thanks to our dedicated pathologists, supporters, and volunteers, 2021 was a historical year of support and impact for the CAP Foundation.
Responding to the ongoing pandemic, the CAP Foundation continued to provide safe, essential health care and education with 12 See, Test & Treat events across the US in 2021. Thanks to pathologist leaders and clinician volunteers, over 660 patients in medically underserved communities received free cervical and breast cancer screening.
The CAP Foundation has spoken with the pathologists who led See, Test & Treat programs in 2021, and we’re happy to report it was a bright spot in their year. This program is an opportunity to celebrate the work of health care professionals while providing imperative, preventive care to communities who were hit hardest by the health and economic fallout from the pandemic.
Continuing from 2020, the CAP Foundation directly supported more laboratories conducting essential studies on COVID-19 testing and its impact on patient care with the John H. Rippey Grant for Expedited Research. Two laboratories received monetary awards to fund studies on COVID-19 topics surrounding test accuracy, timeliness, and result communication.
These studies have directly impacted laboratory testing for COVID-19, helping to provide more accurate and reliable results for patients. Studies like these also lead to future quality process improvements for laboratories so they can continue to conduct the thousands of tests that clinical partners rely on for their patients’ regular care.
The CAP Foundation bestowed 52 grants and awards in 2021—the most in a single year for the organization. Not only did these grants have a direct impact on pandemic efforts, they also fortified the future of the specialty by nurturing interest in pathology with the Medical Student Travel Award. Our early career pathologists gained one-of-a-kind leadership experiences to enhance their careers through our Future Leaders Fund. Read the CAP Foundation 2021 Annual Report to learn more about these awards, and be sure to spread the word to early career pathologists and medical students at your institutions.
The light coming from the laboratory shines brighter than ever, and the CAP Foundation intends to continue feeding that flame for years to come. Essential to our mission is the individual and corporate support we receive to fund our lifesaving and leadership-building programs.
In 2021, the CAP Foundation embarked on the largest fundraising campaign in its history, the Empowering Our Future campaign. We are pleased to tell you it was a resounding success, raising over $2.3 million dollars to help the next generation of pathologists and their patients. A special thank you to our individual donors and corporate partners who made this lofty goal a reality. We invite all interested parties to learn more about the campaign, which is ongoing.
On behalf of the CAP Foundation and the pathologists and patients we serve, we thank you for joining us on this mission to improve people’s health through the bright light shining from the medical laboratory.
Carey Z. August, MD, FCAP
President, CAP Foundation
Maryrose Murphy, MS, MBA
Executive Director, CAP Foundation
