Grants will enable thousands of women across Northeast Ohio to receive improved treatment, while also enhancing breast cancer education programs. Local agencies from several counties were chosen for their innovative breast cancer outreach programs, with a specific focus on those that assist underinsured, uninsured or women living at the poverty line. Several grantees from 2007 will again be receiving funding this year. Four new grantees were also selected that include the Karen P. Nakon Breast Cancer Foundation, Kent State (Health Education and Promotion Program), Mennonite Christian Assembly Church and the Summit County Health District. “We are thrilled to have the ability provide more than $1 million in funding to local NE Ohio organizations to help us in our dedicated mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever,” says Pam Mascio, president of Komen for the Cure Northeast Ohio. “We are confident that the grantees will make a significant contribution to achieving our goals.” The strong support of several key fundraising activities throughout the year enables the Komen Northeast Ohio Affiliate to make these donations. For example, the annual Komen Northeast Ohio Race for the Cure® included over 20,000 participants that helped to raise over $1.7 million in 2007 alone. The Affiliate focuses on supporting innovative education, screening and treatment programs that reach diverse, underserved populations across its 15-county service area. Melissa Thomas from the Mennonite Christian Assembly Church, which received $50,442 in grants, explains the importance and need of the grant for the church. “Research has discovered that Amish women in Ohio are dying at higher rates than non-Amish women in Ohio. The church hopes to address this issue and establish community based screening to reach 400 Amish and Mennonite women in Geauga and Wayne counties. This generous grant will allow us to begin combating unnecessary deaths from breast cancer through education and screening from an organization the women already trust.” Information about the other 2008 grantees follows. About Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Northeast Ohio Affiliate Since 1994, the Komen Northeast Ohio Affiliate has raised over $10.5 million to provide funding and support to Northeast Ohio agencies working to create a world without breast cancer. The agencies provide mammograms and treatment, breast cancer education and ongoing support to women, men, their families and friends. Up to seventy-five percent of the money raised locally funds programs in Northeast Ohio, and the remaining 25 percent helps fund the Susan G. Komen for the Cure® National Research Grant Program. Our vision is to create a world without breast cancer. Editor’s Note: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, formerly known as The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation changed its name and identity in 2007, marking the organization’s 25th anniversary and more clearly defining its goal to not only raise breast cancer awareness, but to indeed find a cure.
$48,369—University Hospitals Geneva Medical Center, Ashtabula County Rural Underserved Women's Project
Columbiana County $30,683—Columbiana County Health Department, Breast Health Education & Screening Cuyahoga County $153,945—Cuyahoga County Board of Health, Breast and Cervical Cancer Project $146,277—The MetroHealth System, MetroHealth Foundation, BREAST program (BRinging Education, Advocacy and Support Together) $98,486—Ireland Cancer Center Univ. Hospitals of Cleveland, Project T.E.M.P.L.E. A Breast Health Education Intervention for Cleveland's Minority Communities $70,339—JD Breast Cancer Foundation, Project Lifeline $67,441—South Pointe Hospital, North East Ohio ANGEL Network $48,503—Northeast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, The Mammogram Connection $36,115—The Gathering Place, Education, Support and Outreach Programs for Women with Breast Cancer $25,000—Karen P. Nakon Breast Cancer Foundation, One Less Worry $24,530—North Coast Health Ministry, Breast Health Education and Screening (serves Western Cuyahoga and Lorain) Geauga County $50,442—Mennonite Christian Assembly Church, The Amish and Mennonite Breast Health Project Lorain County $24,370—Community Health Partners Regional Foundation, ANGELS & AMIGAS- Uniting for a Common Cause $21,960—YWCA of Elyria, Project Reach Mahoning County $89,088—American Cancer Society Northeast Region Ohio, B.E.S.T. (Breast Education and Screening Together) Program $65,000—YWCA of Youngstown, YWCA ENCORE plus Breast Cancer Awareness and Screening Program (serves Mahoning Valley, including Youngstown and Warren) Portage County $40,532—Kent State, Keep ABREAST (Keep Advocating for BReast cancer Education And Screening Tests) Stark County $50,000—Mercy Medical Center, Community Outreach & Breast Health Project Summit County $35,000—Akron General Medical Center, The Breast Health Center Outreach Program $53,260—Summit County Health District, Sharing the Story: Mammograms Save Lives! Carroll, Coshocton, Holmes, Knox, Tuscarawas and Wayne Counties $33,410—Trinity Health System, Breast and Cervical Cancer Project/Komen Project
