Yankton, SD –March 12, 2007 –South Dakota Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure, one of over 125 Affiliates nationwide dedicated to putting an end to breast cancer, recently provided community grants totaling $94,092 to support South Dakota area breast cancer screening and treatment programs. “In order to ensure our funds are making the greatest impact, the South Dakota Affiliate of Susan G Komen for the Cure works with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments,” said Connie J Wagner, South Dakota Affiliate President. “We have identified specific, unmet breast health needs within our state and ‘filled in the gaps,’ delivering the life-saving message of early detection and providing assistance to medically underserved breast cancer patients and their families.” The South Dakota agencies receiving 2007 grants are: All Women Count/Women’s Cancer Network, Pierre, SD., $41,135 to provide mammograms for under-insured women. Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Eagle Butte, SD., $30,305 to provide mammograms for under-insured women. Therapeutic Healing Institute, Sioux Falls, SD., $19,264 to provide complementary therapy for 448 breast cancer patients. Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD., $3,386 to hold a Baking for the Cure event in Flandreau. Last year, the South Dakota Komen Affiliate collectively granted more than $125,000 to support non-duplicative breast health and breast cancer outreach projects in five communities. Included was grant funds for development of Scouting for the Cure, a breast health program within the Girl Scout organization. Up to 75 percent of funds raised by the Komen Affiliate remains in the state to fund local breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs. Remaining net income (a minimum of 25 percent) supports the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world. The Komen Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Together with its Affiliates led by more than 100,000 survivors and activists, Komen is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer forever. As the face and voice of the global breast cancer movement, corporate partners and generous donors, the Komen Foundation has raised nearly one billion dollars in 25 years for the fight against breast cancer. For more information about grant opportunities for breast health or breast cancer prevention, visit the South Dakota Komen’s Web site, www.komensouthdakota.com or call 605-660-0533. |