Cancer Coalition introduces the territory’s first-ever Portable MRI System

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In a historic milestone for island healthcare, the American Samoa Community Cancer Coalition (ASCCC) has introduced the territory’s first-ever portable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. Developed by Hyperfine, Inc., the Swoop® Portable MR Imaging System allows non-invasive brain imaging in community and clinical settings — without radiation, contrast dyes, or hospital MRI suites.

Hyperfine representatives Brandon Ratliff and Zorro Vartanian traveled to American Samoa to install the unit and train local staff. The system supports ASCCC’s Puipui Malu Manatu (Protect the Mind) Program, a collaborative research initiative on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia led in partnership with Dr. Jim Galvin from the University of Miami’s Comprehensive Center for Brain Health, along with partners at the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The program offers free brain scans for Samoan adults aged 50 and older who volunteer to participate in the study.

“Our project, Puipui Malu Manatu, is here to help us understand preserved memory,” said Dr. Jim Galvin. “We study participants through assessments, testing, and now MRI imaging to better understand healthy brain aging and what may put people at risk for memory diseases.”

“Bringing this level of technology to American Samoa bridges a critical gap in access to advanced diagnostic tools,” added Dr. Va‘atausili Tofaeono, Executive Director of ASCCC. “It reflects our commitment to both scientific research and compassionate community care for our people.”

The Puipui Malu Manatu research study is funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Founded in 2004, ASCCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving cancer prevention, early detection, and chronic disease outcomes across American Samoa through advocacy, education, research, and culturally grounded community engagement.