South Dakota Affiliate Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

May 24, 2006

SOUTH DAKOTA AFFILIATE of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Funds COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Volunteers Help Serve Unmet Breast Health Needs of South Dakota's Medically Underserved

Yankton, SD - The South Dakota Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, one of over 100 Affiliates nationwide dedicated to putting an end to breast cancer, recently provided community grants totaling $50,339 to support South Dakota area breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs.

"In order to ensure our funds are making the greatest impact, the Komen South Dakota Affiliate works with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments," said Connie J Wagner, Komen South Dakota Affiliate President. "We have identified specific, unmet breast health needs within our community 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 communities receiving grants are:

Yankton, SD, Avera Sacred Heart Cancer Center, $10,166, "Her Health Matters to Us;
Huron, SD, Huron Regional Medical Center, $10,000, "Breast Cancer Support Group/Day for Women";
Sioux Falls, SD, Girl Scouts of Minn-Ia-Kota, $2682, "Scouting for the Cure";
Mobridge, SD, Mobridge Regional Hospital and Clinics, $18,675 "An Open Door for Rural Women";
Sioux Falls, SD, Sioux Valley Hospital Cancer Center, $8816, "Navigator Program".

Last year, Komen Affiliates collectively granted more than $30 million to support non-duplicative breast health and breast cancer outreach projects in their communities. Up to 75 percent of funds raised by a Komen Affiliate remains in the community 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 Breast Cancer 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. Thanks to more than 75,000 volunteers dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, the Komen Foundation, with its Affiliate Network, is the world's largest private funder of community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs. Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, the Komen Foundation has raised nearly $600 million 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.

SD Komen also announces that $75,750.00 grant has been awarded to the three Girl Scout Councils of South Dakota to develop Scouting for the Cure. Each Council will receive $25,250. "We believe that breast health education starts at an early age and are very happy to work hand in hand with the Councils to help provide that education to the Scouts, their mothers and families.