DELAWARE BREAST CANCER COALITION, INC.
NAMED 2003/2004 GRANT RECIPIENT
BY THE PHILADELPHIA AFFILIATE OF THE
SUSAN G. KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
December 10, 2003, Wilmington, DE – The Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded a $45,130 grant to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) to advance breast health and breast cancer awareness in the Affiliate’s service area which includes Lehigh, Lancaster, York, Berks, and New Castle Counties. Since its inception, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded $450 million for the fight against breast cancer.
DBCC is one of 25 area nonprofits receiving a grant from a total of $1,137,376 grant funds through the Philadelphia Affiliate this year. Selections were based on a set of criteria established according to a community needs assessment of the Affiliate service area. Through an intensive review process, the selection committee determined which of the applying organizations best address the specified needs for the service area.
“We are very pleased to be able to support the work of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition for their lesbian outreach program, Taking Care of Ourselves,” said Elaine Grobman, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. “With such a formidable and widespread disease as breast cancer, it is true dedication like theirs that gives us all hope of saving more lives today and one day finding a cure.”
The focus areas identified by Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in a recent needs assessment are as follow: projects focusing on breast cancer education predominantly in areas with high numbers of uninsured and underinsured women; early detection and clinical care for women 65 and older; projects promoting greater awareness of available breast health resources, especially in low-income communities; projects addressing the needs of younger women with breast cancer or young women at high risk for breast cancer; projects providing free mammography screening, diagnostic testing and treatment for uninsured women and men.
“Many factors, ranging from lack of appropriate messages to fear of “coming out” and previous negative experiences within the health care setting, keep lesbians and women who partner with women from practicing good breast health habits,” says Sandra Hoy, Program Coordinator at DBCC. “There is a tremendous need to reach lesbians and women who partner with women with breast health information and resources and we are grateful that Komen shares this goal and supports our program.”
The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 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. Today, the Foundation is an international organization with a network of volunteers working through local Affiliates and Komen Race for the Cure® events to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment. 75% of the net funds raised by the Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation remain in the service area for breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects. The remaining 25% of the net raised helps support the Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program. For more information on upcoming events, becoming a volunteer, or for other information, contact the Philadelphia Affiliate at (215) 238-8900, or visit www.phillyraceforthecure.org.
The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. was established in 1991 to raise awareness of breast cancer by providing information, education and support in a caring and responsive manner on early detection and treatment. DBCC supports the National Breast Cancer Coalition and their efforts to research the causes of breast cancer and pursue optimal treatments and cures. For more information, contact DBCC at (302) 778-1102 or (866) 312-DBCC or visit our website at www.debreastcancer.org.