2011-2012 Grantees Announced

For Immediate Release:    
March 2, 2011                              

For More Information, Contact:
Sarah Irvin Clark, (614) 225-9100, ext. 3
                        
Komen Columbus Announces Funding for 2011-2012 Breast Health Programming in 30-County Service Area
Local programs to receive more than $1.5 million for breast cancer education, screening, and treatment

(COLUMBUS, OH) – Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Komen Columbus announced today it will grant more than $1.5 million to fund 31 programs that provide thousands of women with vital breast health education, screening and treatment throughout the next year.  This year’s grant dollars exceed last year’s record grant giving by nearly $300,000.

“Every dollar raised helps save lives in Ohio. Sadly, Ohio still has the fourth highest mortality rate from breast cancer, but we are doing our best to lower that statistic,” said Katie Carter, executive director of Komen Columbus. “Each year we are able to fund more grantees with more dollars to make a bigger impact for women in our 30-county service area. This year the majority of our dollars are going to ensure that thousands of underserved and under-insured Ohioans will get screened for breast cancer. Other focuses for our dollars are education and outreach programs and breast cancer treatment and survivor support programs.”
 
The 31 programs that have been awarded grant dollars by Komen Columbus for 2011- 2012 include:

ACE that Mammogram: Reducing Issues Related to Access, Cost & Expertise (James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute; serves Franklin County and more) – This grant will expand efforts to educate and screen as many eligible women as possible in the Komen Columbus area with mobile mammography visits to underserved communities and those with access issues.

The Amish & Mennonite Breast Health Project (Gateway Fellowship Church; serving Knox, Muskingum, Fairfield, Pickaway, Ross, Pike and Monroe Counties) –This new program will provide culturally sensitive education and outreach, as well as screening and patient navigation services to the Amish and Mennonite populations in our service area.

The Black Bonnet Project (The Ohio State University, College of Public Health; serving Gallia and Jackson Counties) -- This program focuses on Amish women living on Gallia and Jackson Counties to help improve breast cancer knowledge and increase breast cancer screening.

BEAP – Breast Education & Awareness Project (Vinton County Health Department; serving Vinton and Hocking Counties) -- The goal of this program is to educate underserved and low-income women regarding health issues, to raise breast cancer awareness and provide mammograms.

Breast Education, Screening and Treatment (BEST) (American Cancer Society; serves Franklin County and more) – The program will provide screening mammograms and early breast cancer detection opportunities for low income and underinsured women.

BHESAW -- Breast Health Education and Screening for Asian Women (Asian American Community Services Council; serves Franklin County and more) – This project targets Asian women, using community health advocates serving as community liaisons and interpreters during breast health education and mammograms.

Breast Health Project (Marietta Memorial Health System; serves Washington County) – This program will focus on increasing the number of screening mammograms performed on women aged 40 and up who are either high-risk or are underserved or uninsured.

Breast Health for Uninsured Women of Madison County (Madison County Health Partners; serves Madison County) – The Madison County Health Partners free clinic will provide mammograms and breast health education to uninsured women in Madison County.

BRIDGES on the Path to Wellness (OhioHealth Foundation; serves Franklin County and more) - This program offers financial assistance to women in need, providing them supplies and wellness services during and after treatment. This program will also bridge the gap between when a patient is diagnosed with breast cancer and when the patient is eligible to receive financial assistance.

CARE -- Cancer Action Recovery Education (Berger Health Foundation; serves Pickaway County) - This grant will help promote breast cancer education and early detection to women who do not have medical insurance. Screening and diagnostic assistance will be offered.

Cure Your Fears: Breast Cancer Education, Screening and Treatment Project (The Battelle Breast Care Center at Madison County Hospital; serves Madison County) – This program aims to expand education and awareness activities, promote and offer free breast screenings and provide financial assistance to women who do not have health insurance or do not qualify for other assistance programs.

Columbus Cancer Clinic--Yes Mamm! (LifeCare Alliance; serves Franklin County) – This program will provide 1,600 mammograms to women ages 40 and older or women with a family history of breast cancer with an emphasis on minority, uninsured/underinsured or Medicare/Medicaid eligible women.

Genesis Breast Health Initiative (Genesis HealthCare System; serves Morgan, Muskingum, Perry Counties and more) – This grant will assist women who do not have insurance coverage or the financial means to have a screening mammogram and diagnostic mammogram.

Healthy Adult Project: Breast Screening Program (Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine; serves Athens, Vinton, Monroe, Pike, Meigs, Morgan, Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Noble, Scioto, Perry, Hocking, Ross, Washington Counties) - This program will provide services on a fully equipped mobile unit that travels throughout southeastern Ohio.  Services will be provided to uninsured, underinsured and underserved women.

IMPEDE: Importance of Prevention and Early Detection (Grady Memorial Hospital; serves Delaware County) - The overall goal of the IMPEDE program is to educate women in Delaware County on the importance of prevention and early detection of breast cancer and to support and assist women diagnosed with the disease.

MCHS Breast Cancer Survivorship Program (Mount Carmel Health System; serves Franklin County and more) – This program offers screening and diagnostic services to high-risk women, as well as comprehensive wellness and quality of life programs for breast cancer survivors. Specific program offerings include aquatic lymphedema prevention classes, breast cancer exercise programs and gentle yoga classes.

Mother, Daughter, Sister and Friends Project (Knox Community Hospital; serves Knox County) - This grant will provide mammograms for women ages 40 and older who are underserved and underinsured. This program will also offer financial assistance and promote breast health education and provide assistance with medical treatment and survivorship issues.

Multi-Specialty Second Opinion Breast Cancer Clinic (OhioHealth Foundation; serves Franklin County) – This weekly free clinic provides women an opportunity to learn more about their diagnosis and their treatment options. All specialists involved in the treatment of breast cancer meet with the patient during one visit, eliminating the need for multiple appointments.

No Excuses!: A Breast Screening and Health Awareness Project (Fairfield Regional Medical Center; serves Fairfield, Hocking and Perry Counties) –This new program will provide education and outreach to underserved women, as well as screening and diagnostic assistance to uninsured low-income women over 40.

Operation “Pink Out” Strengthening the Safety Net (Holzer Medical Center; serving Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence and Vinton Counties) –This program will provide community-wide breast health education and risk assessment screenings for underserved and uninsured women ages 50 and younger.

Perry County Breast Health Project (Perry County Breast Health Project, serving Perry County) –This new program will provide community-wide breast health education, screening referrals, transportation assistance and patient support for underserved and uninsured women over the age of 40, and women under 40 who are high-risk due to family history or other factors.

Pink Ribbon Initiative (King’s Daughters’ Medical Center Community Services; serves Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence and Scioto Counties) - This program will provide screening mammography and education to underinsured and underserved women with annual reminders.

A Promise to Keep (Adena Health Foundation; serves Fayette, Pike, Jackson, Ross, Vinton, Hocking, Scioto, and Pickaway Counties) – This program will provide screening mammograms for women over 40, as well as women under 40 who are identified as high-risk. Diagnostic follow-up will be provided as needed. The goal is provide prevention, early detection and risk reduction services to underserved women in their community.

Power Me Pink (Southeastern Ohio Regional Medical Center; serves Guernsey, Noble and Monroe Counties) –This program will educate underserved and low income women regarding health issues to raise breast cancer awareness as well as provide mammogram screenings for those who cannot afford them.

The Power of Pink (Memorial Hospital of Union County; serves Union County) – This program will focus on the screening of high-risk and underserved women  in the Memorial Hospital of Union County service area who are uninsured or underinsured, with a special  emphasis on women ages 40 to 65.
 
Proyecto Cancer del Seno en Latinas: The Latina Breast Cancer Project (OhioHealth Research Institute; serves Franklin County and more) – This program addresses the breast health needs of the Latino community by increasing screenings by connecting Latina women to already existing screening services through community educational programs and the use of a hotline.

S.A.S.S. (Screening and Survivor Support) for Breast Cancer (Public Health Partnership of Licking County and Licking County Health Department; serves Licking County) – This program will provide free mammograms to women in need in Licking County and emphasizes the importance of early detection. In addition, this program will offer financial, emotional and social support for local survivors.

Sister Screen Saver (OSU James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute; serves Franklin County) – This program aims to provide on-site mobile mammography screening services at local community churches and use culturally tailored information to educate African American women about breast cancer prevention and early detection, including a screen saver and video for educational purposes. The program will also be able to provide information on local resources where free or low-cost mammograms and support services can be obtained.

Think Pink (Meigs County Cancer Initiative; serves Meigs County) – This program will also assist underserved women ages 35 and over to obtain clinical breast examinations, mammography screening and diagnostic services at no cost.

Together We Can (Ross County Health District; serves Gallia, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto, Vinton Counties) - This program will fund annual screening mammograms and clinical breast exams for women ages 40 and older. This grant will also fund screening and diagnostic serves to eligible women aged 20-39 who are at high-risk for breast cancer or who are experiencing breast problems.

You Are Not Alone (Young Survival Coalition, Central Ohio; serves Central Ohio) – This program seeks to enhance the Central Ohio area health service delivery system by providing supportive services and education for young women diagnosed with breast cancer. Program activities include distribution of YSC Resource Kit Series for Newly Diagnosed and Metastatic Young Women with Breast Cancer, a support group for young women affected by breast cancer, and events to increase community awareness of the unique issues young women face throughout their diagnosis.

About Komen Columbus
Komen Columbus has raised more than $17 million since it began in 1993; 75 percent of that money stays in its 30-county service area and is used to conduct breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs. The other 25 percent goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure to fund national breast cancer research programs. For more information call the Komen Columbus office at (614) 297-8155.

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