Abstract Introduction: The Caribbean cancer community faces significant barriers in accessing resources and care, particularly during natural disasters that disrupt healthcare services. In response to these challenges, our initiative has launched a coalition of diverse organizations and stakeholders committed to improving cancer health outcomes in Puerto Rico. Our primary goal is to establish a Community Coalition of Partners (COP) designed to strengthen sustainable collaborations among stakeholders, including community partners, academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. This coalition aims to promote scientific research alongside community-focused activities, such as outreach and education, and evidence-based interventions to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather on cancer prevention and control, especially among vulnerable and underserved populations. Methodology and Metting Process: Our approach employs a human-centered design framework that prioritizes the experiences and perspectives of coalition members. By doing so, we ensure that our tools and resources effectively address the specific needs of populations affected by extreme weather and cancer. We will gather insights through qualitative interviews and focus groups, allowing us to understand the unique challenges faced by these communities. Additionally, we will conduct participatory workshops aimed at co-creating educational resources and interventions that resonate with the experiences of our target populations. A pilot testing phase will assess the usability and effectiveness of the developed tools, followed by a comprehensive evaluation framework to measure their impact on the continuum of cancer care. The recruitment process for the COP began with personalized invitations to organizations involved in both cancer and extreme weather, leading to an inaugural meeting where additional participants were identified by the members. Our meetings are designed to be interactive, promoting open communication and allowing for flexible discussions ensuring all voices are heard. We utilize digital tools such as Miro and Slido to enhance engagement and participation during sessions. Results: Currently, our coalition comprises 25 active organizations. This collaboration creates a diverse ecosystem of expertise: academics provide research methodologies, communities offer local insights, federal and state representatives contribute policy frameworks, nonprofits enhance outreach, cancer associations advocate, and researchers facilitate innovation. Continuous feedback from coalition members refines our strategy, facilitates collaboration, and supports the development of tailored resources and programs that address the unique needs of our communities. Conclusion: By adopting human-centered design, we have successfully formed a robust coalition dedicated to enhancing cancer care in Puerto Rico. This model exemplifies the advantages of partnership-based approaches in effectively addressing healthcare challenges and improving health outcomes for members of the cancer community. Citation Format: Bridgette N. Troche Santana, Melanie Diaz-Bone, Deliris Agosto-Centeno, Sarah E. Clark, Zack Guido, LaVerne Ragster, Noreen Michael, Pablo Mendez-Lazaro. Building a collaborative coalition: A human-centered approach to addressing continuum cancer care during extreme weather events in Puerto Rico abstract. In: Proceedings of the 18th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities; 2025 Sep 18-21; Baltimore, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(9 Suppl):Abstract nr B081.
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