Breast Cancer Foundation Funds Outreach Programs

The Colorado Springs Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation announced grants for 2005 totaling $422,494 for breast health education, screening, and treatment support programs in El Paso, Pueblo and Teller counties. In addition, $107,000 has been contributed to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Award and Research Grants Program.

The 2004 Komen Colorado Springs Race for the Cure® and other year-round Komen fundraising events will provide funding for seventeen projects in 2005 including the Community Mammography Project (El Paso County Department of Health & Environment), Cancer Control for Women in their Forties (St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, Pueblo), ANGELS: Enhancing Breast Health Education, Screening, and Prevention among African-American Women (Penrose Cancer Center, Colorado Springs) and The Breast Cancer Resource Center (Pikes Peak Library District, Colorado Springs).

Founded in 1982 in memory of Susan G. Komen, the Komen Foundation’s mission is to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research, education, screening and treatment. In 2003, more than 100 Komen Affiliates nation-wide contributed over $30 million dollars to their local communities. Thanks to more than 75,000 volunteers dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, the Komen Foundation is the world’s largest private funding source for community-based breast health education as well as breast cancer screening and treatment programs. Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous individual donors, the Komen Foundation has raised more than $600 million for the fight against breast cancer.

For more information about breast health or breast cancer, visit the Komen Foundation’s Web site, www.komen.org, or call its National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline, 1.800 I’M AWARE® (1.800.462.9273).

Recipients of the 2004 grants are:

ANGEL Network: Enhancing Breast Health Education, Screening, and Support for African-American Women
Penrose Cancer Center $35,000
Grassroots educational outreach to African-American women providing monthly breast cancer education programs, instruction in breast self-examination, and a support group for women with breast cancer.

Asian Women’s Breast Health Program
Asian Pacific Development Center $29,536
Breast cancer education programs for culturally and linguistically-isolated Asian women providing assistance with screening, referrals and translation.

Breast Health for Homeless Women
Peak Vista Community Health Center, Inc., Colorado Springs $22,844
One-to-one outreach, education and breast health services to homeless women in El Paso County.

Breast Health Public Awareness & Case Management
Pueblo Community Health Center, Inc. $41,554
Community breast health education and comprehensive case management service for breast cancer screening and follow up care.
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Cancer Control for Women in Their Forties
St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center $43,000
Screening mammograms and diagnostic follow up for women ages 40-49 who are un-insured or who have limited financial resources.

Clinical Trials: Minority Recruitment Strategies
St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center $15,300
A project designed to explore factors involved in the successful recruitment of Hispanic women to breast cancer trials and to identify resources for education about clinical trials among Hispanic women.

Community Mammography Project
El Paso County Department & Environment $70,000
Comprehensive breast exams, screening mammograms, and diagnostic follow up for low income and un-insured women under the age of 50.

Complementary Therapy Access for Breast Cancer Patients
Memorial Hospital Cancer Center $5,275
Complementary/holistic/integrative therapy: (relaxation training, yoga, massage, exercise, Reiki, smoking cessation, acupressure, etc.) for breast cancer patients undergoing conventional medical treatment to help enhance quality of life.

Financial Treatment Support
Sense of Security $20,000
Non-medical financial support for breast cancer patients in El Paso, Pueblo, and Teller counties who need assistance with housing, utilities, transportation, food, medical insurance premiums, or child care during treatment.

Genetic Counseling for High Risk Women
Penrose Cancer Center $30,185
Genetic counseling and breast cancer risk analysis for women and families with emphasis on outreach to the African-American and Hispanic communities in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.

Healing Opportunities for Personal Enrichment (H.O.P.E.) Retreat
Memorial Hospital Breast Care Center $7,500
A 3-day seminar for breast cancer survivors who are six to twelve months post-treatment allowing survivors to reflect on the cancer experience through presentations and group discussions. Focus is on quality of life issues including physical, emotional, spiritual, professional, and relationship changes.

Healing Retreats for Breast Cancer Survivors
Spa for the Spirit $12,500
4-day mountain retreats and 1-day Spas designed to improve quality of life, instill hope and nourish the spirits of women with advanced breast cancer through discussion groups, meditation, tai chi and yoga, art therapy, massage, and music therapy. Include a retreat for African-American women and a Spanish-language DaySpa.

Healing Therapies for Cancer Patients
St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center $7,500
A collaborative program with the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center to provide medically-appropriate, healing arts services for breast cancer patients including medical massage, yoga, music therapy, art therapy, and journaling.

Latina Breast Health Outreach Initiative: JUNTAS Contra el Cancer del Seno
Penrose Cancer Center $40,000
Bilingual breast health education, screening and case management services for Latinas. Culturally sensitive outreach by Promotoras (women who promote health) will be used to identify and remove barriers to screening and treatment.

Lymphedema Services
St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center $7,300
Lymphedema prevention education for women following breast cancer surgery and financial support for lymphedema treatment for uninsured women

Pikes Peak Breast Health Connection
El Paso County Department of Health & Environment $15,000
Communication clearinghouse for breast care providers in the Pikes Peak Region that promotes public awareness of breast health screening, education, and outreach services including a hotline number (578-3111).

Pikes Peak Library: Breast Cancer Resource Center
Pikes Peak Library District $20,000
A dedicated space at Penrose Public Library with comprehensive educational and informational resources on the topic of breast cancer including internet access in English and Spanish, a directory of local resources, telephone stations with access to national and local resources, and a collection of written materials that are culturally sensitive to patrons of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and educational levels.


Total local project awards for 2005 $422,494
Total contributed to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation $107,000

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