THE SOUTHERN NEVADA AFFILIATE OF SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE® AWARDS NEARLY $800,000 IN GRANTS TOWARDS THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER
Organization announces largest grant slate to date as it prepares for annual Race for the Cure on May 2
Las Vegas- April 29, 2009 – Just days away from its largest annual fundraiser, the Southern Nevada Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® announced today that it is granting nearly $800,000 to local organizations that provide treatment, screening, education and other support services in the fight against breast cancer.
HealthNet, a program of the Great Basin Primary Care Association has been awarded a $500,000 grant from Komen Southern Nevada. The grant will allow HealthNet to provide early-stage breast cancer surgery, chemotherapy, radiation oncology, and fulfill other treatment needs for uninsured and underserved patients.
“Since the closure of outpatient oncology services for low-income, uninsured and underserved women at our county hospital, many women have been forced to delay care or go without treatment completely and this grant will help fill that gap,” said Jackie Brown, executive director of the Komen Southern Nevada Affiliate. “However, we recognize this funding is very limited and cannot fulfill the anticipated need over the next year and we are working with local providers and elected officials to identify long-term solutions.”
The HealthNet program is managed by the Great Basin Primary Case Association, which will work as a liaison between qualified patients and local treatment providers.“We are working closely with Komen Southern Nevada and Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada to help those diagnosed with early stage breast cancer get the treatment that could save their lives,” said Zulma Munoz of HealthNet.
In addition to the $500,000 granted to the Great Basin HealthNet program, Komen Southern Nevada also granted out $297,000 to local and regional organizations including St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation, the Barbara Greenspun WomensCare Centers, and the Center for Compassionate Care to provide essential and life-saving services to uninsured and underserved women and their families in Southern Nevada.
“At nearly $800,000, this is our largest grant slate to date,” said Brown. “With funds raised from the Komen Southern Nevada Race for the Cure, other fundraising events, and generous donations, we are able to make sure that uninsured and low-income women in our community can get a mammogram, other diagnostic screenings, and if needed, can be treated for their breast cancer diagnosis and receive support throughout their journey with this disease. Komen for the Cure is here to help from the causes to the cures and every moment of pain and anxiety in between.”
The Komen Southern Nevada Affiliate is part of the 125-member Affiliate network of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer forever. Local Affiliates serve as the face and voice of Komen for the Cure’s global breast cancer movement, mobilizing millions of everyday people through activities like the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series, the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer. This year’s Southern Nevada Race for the Cure will take place on Saturday May 2, 2009.
Komen and its Affiliates are known globally for their dedication to filling existing gaps in breast health and breast cancer needs. To make sure they are addressing needs that no one else is meeting in their own service areas, Komen Affiliates work with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments. These community profiles are then used to establish local grant application and review processes consistent with Komen's promise to end breast cancer forever.
