AUSTIN AFFILIATE DISTRIBUTES NEARLY $1.5 MILLION FOR THE CURE

Local Health Care Organizations Receive Grants to Serve Breast Cancer Prevention, Treatment and Education Needs in the Community

Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen distributes nearly $1.5 million for the Cure

AUSTIN, Texas (May 4, 2010) — The Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® announced today that it awarded $999,473.78 in grants to 12 local health care organizations for life-saving breast cancer prevention, treatment and education services for uninsured and underinsured men and women in Austin’s five-county region, including Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Travis and Williamson Counties.  In addition, Komen Austin also provided another $483,000 to its national headquarters for research.

Grant recipients were honored at Susan G. Komen Austin’s annual Hope for the Cure luncheon.  Grants were selected by the organization’s ability to implement projects that specifically address evidence-based strategies and programs to reduce breast cancer morbidity and mortality for those disproportionately affected by the disease. Through Komen Austin’s Community Profile, priority needs were identified for patient assistance and treatment support; patient navigation and support services; and culturally appropriate outreach and education for African American and Hispanic women.

“We are privileged to be able to support the important work being done by breast cancer organizations in the community,” said Harriett Choffel, director of grants for the Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  “With  more than 900 woman expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in Austin’s five-county region this year, our grantees will be the life-saving arm many of  those women.”

The 2010-2011 Susan G. Komen Austin grantees include:

• Community Action Inc. of Hays, Caldwell, and Blanco Counties - Breast Cancer Program
• CommuniCare Health Centers- Breast Health Program
• Community Health Centers of South Central Texas – Caldwell Healthy Women’s and Men’s Program
• El Buen Samaritano Episcopal Mission - Una Decision Inteligente
• Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled(HAND) - Help at Home
• National Center for Farmworker Health (NCFH) – Cultivando la Salud Breast Cancer Education Program
• Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region - Breast Evaluation and Management of Low Risk Women Ages 18-34
• Samaritan Health Ministries, Inc. – Access to Breast Cancer Early Detection Outreach Services
• Seton Family of Hospitals-Seton Cancer Care Outreach Programs
• The Breast Cancer Resource Centers of Texas (BCRC) –Outreach and Clinical Navigation
• The University of Texas at Austin-School of Nursing -  Family Wellness Center’s Women’s Wellness Program
• WINGS (Women Involved in Nurturing, Giving, Sharing, Inc. - True Access in Rural Areas
   
  This year marks the 30th anniversary of the promise between two sisters that eventually became Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.  The Austin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure was established in 1999 and money raised by participants of the Susan G. Komen Austin Race for the Cure® is put directly back into the community.  The 2010 Susan G. Komen Austin Race for the Cure will be held on Sunday, November 7th at the Domain in North Austin.

Since its inception, Susan G. Komen Austin has provided more than $7 million in funding to local community clinics, hospitals and health care organizations for breast screening, diagnosis and treatment, and research for a cure.  For more information about the organization, please visit www.komenaustin.org or www.komen.org.