DELAWARE BREAST CANCER COALITION, INC.
BY THE PHILADELPHIA AFFILIATE OF THE
SUSAN G. KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
December 27, 2002, Wilmington, DE – The Philadelphia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded a $54,254 grant to the Young Survivors In Action, a program of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. for projects to advance breast health and breast cancer awareness in the Delaware Valley. Since its inception, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded $450 million for the fight against breast cancer.
The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. will be one of 23 area nonprofit institutions receiving a grant from a total of over one million dollars in 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 Delaware Valley. Through an intensive review process, the selection committee determined which of the applying organizations best address the needs for the Delaware Valley community.
“We are very pleased to be able to support the work of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition for their young women’s outreach program, Young Survivors In Action,” 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 six key focus areas of the Delaware Valley needs assessment are as follows: projects focusing on breast cancer education, early detection, and clinical care for women 65 and older; projects offered in low-income communities; projects creating greater awareness of available breast health resources, especially in low-income communities; projects addressing the needs of younger women with breast cancer or who are at high risk; projects providing free mammography screening, diagnostic testing and treatment for uninsured women and men; projects targeting under-served communities currently not funded by the Philadelphia Affiliate.
“Young women are at risk for breast cancer. The myth that women under 40 years of age are too young for breast cancer has, at times, become a barrier for young women with breast health problems – problems that may, in fact, be breast cancer. Breaking down the barriers and myths of breast cancer and developing appropriate breast health practices through community educational outreach among young women is vital and may save young women’s lives”, states Theresa A. Gates, Program Coordinator of the Young Survivors In Action, a program of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.
The Susan G. 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. 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 Komen Foundation remain in the Delaware Valley 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, support, and education in a caring and responsive manner on early detection and treatment. The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) is committed to decreasing the mortality rate of breast cancer in Delaware among women and men. DBCC is a chapter of the National Breast Cancer Coalition and supports the national organization’s efforts to research the causes of breast cancer and pursue optimal treatments and cures.
The Young Survivors In Action (YSIA), a statewide program of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, began in 2000 with young survivors Debra Wood, Eileen Filliben Edmunds along the side of Victoria Cooke who is now DBCC’s Executive Director. Theresa A. Gates is the Program Coordinator for YSIA; Gates is a young breast cancer survivor herself. YSIA provides tools for women to educate themselves and others on breast health issues. This year, approximately 10,600 women in the United States, under the age of 40 will be diagnosed with breast cancer according to the American Cancer Society. The YSIA focus is two fold. YSIA provides current breast health information, education, support, and fellowship to young women, age 40 and younger, who have been diagnosed with breast cancer or have an interest in the disease. Secondly, YSIA educates young women in their 20’s and 30’s about breast health, screenings, to learn and act on their family history, and to learn good breast health practices. Through public workshops, a newsletter, website, and breast health educational outreach, YSIA provides opportunities to meet with others who are experiencing the unique challenges this disease presents to young women. Challenges such as preserving fertility during treatment, pregnancy after breast cancer, and balancing life, work, and health issues as a young survivor. A number of young survivor members volunteer with the YSIA Speakers Bureau to share their personal story during outreach programs and fellowship meetings. Many YSIA members have created a strong sense of community and in turn become a support system for one another. YSIA is a statewide program and is open to anyone in the tri-state area. As advocates in the community, the YSIA members volunteer at health fairs, women’s organizations, corporate settings, faith based organizations, and colleges to educate women about good breast health practices as well as collaborating with other organizations throughout the state.
Please visit our website at www.debreastcancer.org. For more information on the Young Survivors In Action program contact Theresa A. Gates, Program Coordinator at 302-778-1102 or tgates@debreastcancer.org.