$2.1 Million Awarded to Local Organizations

Grants help close budget gaps for 12 Western Washington government and nonprofit agencies.

The Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® will formally grant $2.1 million to 12 local organizations tonight at a Community Impact celebration in the fight to end breast cancer. Each of the grantees provides critical breast cancer screening, treatment, support or education for underserved women in Western Washington.

The financial support from Komen Puget Sound closes budget gaps for many of these organizations, and is possible because of strong community fundraising support last year.  The $2.1 million in grants awarded this year is an increase of $100,000 from 2010.  However, sustaining this upward trend is in jeopardy as registrations for one of Komen Puget Sound’s biggest fund raising events on June 3rd, Susan G. Komen Puget Sound for the Cure® in Seattle, is currently down by 44 percent.

“We strongly encourage our supporters – past, present and new- to do what they can to help end breast cancer,” said Cheryl Shaw, Executive Director of Komen Puget Sound.  “Times are still tough for many women and their families in our state, and we’re continuing to experience a significant increase in demand for free or low cost breast cancer support for uninsured, underserved and low-income women.”

In 2011, Komen Puget Sound provided nearly 43,000 women in Western Washington with life-saving breast cancer screenings, treatment and education.  From the mammograms funded by Komen Puget Sound last year alone, breast cancer was detected in more than 200 women. This early detection is the key to surviving breast cancer.  When treated early, the five-year survival rate is 98 percent; later detection drops this to just 23 percent.

“I missed getting a mammogram last year and almost went without again because I lost my job, I don’t have health insurance, and I’m on a fixed income” said Rosemary Smith, a woman who benefited from a free mammogram from Washington State Department of Health’s Breast, Cervical, Colon Health Program (BCCHP).  “But I was able to get one through this program and I’m so thankful.  Getting a mammogram is very important. Times are hard but I’m trying to stay positive.”

Every grant is reviewed and approved by an independent grants review board to ensure funds are allocated without consideration for political or personal agendas.  This review committee is representative of the community we serve and the expertise we need to make the best funding decisions.

Komen Puget Sound’s 2012 Grantees

The single largest grant goes to the Washington State Department of Health; Breast, Cervical, Colon Health Program (BCCHP). $1.3 million in grant funds will provide 14,000 free mammograms for low-income women in Western Washington.

“As a breast cancer survivor I know how important early detection is,” said Governor Chris Gregoire. “With about 1,000 women in Washington on a wait list for needed mammograms, this $1.3 million grant from Komen Puget Sound will help make an immediate and important difference for low-income and underserved women in our community.”

Other 2012 Komen Puget Sound grantees include:

• Cancer Lifeline, $266,186 to assist low-income patients with their treatment for breast cancer
• Franciscan Foundation, $126,287 awarded to provide assistance to underserved women that will facilitate access to diagnostic and treatment services to assure successful treatment for breast cancer.
• International Community Health Services, $98,729 will provide breast health outreach, education and screening to low-income and underserved women in Seattle/King County.
• YWCA of Seattle/King County & Snohomish County, $65,367 will provide education and mobile screenings for medically underserved and low-income and homeless women.
• South Puget Intertribal Planning Agency, $62,282 will provide breast health outreach, education, screening and support to women in rural tribal communities in southwest Washington.
• Mason General Hospital, $49,557 will assist breast cancer patients during treatment and provide survivor support, awareness and screening for low-income women living in Mason County.
• Lutheran Community Services Northwest – Familias Unidas, $33,518 to promote breast cancer awareness and screening in the Hispanic/Latino community of Snohomish and Skagit Counties.
• UW Medicine | School of Medicine, $27,950 to Harborview Medical Center and University of Washington Breast Health Cancer Program at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance will provide patient navigation services to low-income breast cancer patients.
• Citrine Health, $26,116 will provide assistance to uninsured, low-income and/or rural breast cancer patients in Snohomish, Skagit, Whatcom, Island and San Juan Counties to increase access to and completion of prescribed treatment.
• Senior Services of Seattle-King County, $25,052 will provide breast health community outreach and education for seniors, especially women of color.
• Center for MultiCultural Health, $18,402 will provide assistance to African American women in King County to increase timely access to diagnostic and treatment services.