Komen Southeast Wisconsin Affiliate

Southeast Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G.
Komen for the Cure® awards community grants 
Organization’s community-based grants fill unmet breast health needs

Milwaukee – May 5, 2010 – Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in Southeast Wisconsin has announced its annual slate of community health grants in for fiscal year totaling $649,000. As a result of the grants, more women will get mammograms, be diagnosed earlier, and survive longer. These programs reach residents of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Washington, Jefferson and Walworth counties.

New this year, the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation will take over management of the Kohl’s Southeast Wisconsin Breast Health Assistance Fund, expanding access to more women. The funds provide financial assistance including covering the cost of breast screening, diagnostic and access to treatment related services for uninsured or underinsured individuals up to 400% of federal poverty level.

Sue Ann Thompson, Founder and President of the Wisconsin Women’s Health Foundation, said, “We are pleased to manage this critical fund because it serves as a safety net of last resort for women who have no other access to breast health services. Whether it’s diagnostic testing or financial assistance for transportation, childcare, medication or even rent and utilities, this money ensures that the women of Southeast Wisconsin get access to lifesaving screening and treatment.”

Other new community partners receiving grants from Komen include:

Continuing grants include:

• Milwaukee Health Services: Screening mammography services to eligible individuals
• Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center: Outreach efforts to identify lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals who are at-risk for breast cancer and screening mammograms for eligible individuals  
• ProHealth Care: Oconomowoc and Waukesha Memorial Hospital: Community outreach efforts and screening mammograms for eligible individuals
• Waukesha Memorial Foundation: Outreach efforts and screening mammograms for eligible individual
• Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare – Foundation for St. Francis’ Su Salud program: Outreach efforts targeting at-risk Hispanic women and screening mammograms for eligible individuals

More women are putting off needed preventative breast cancer screenings due to economic hardship and changing health insurance plans. Prevention in these economic times can fall by the wayside. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is committed to eliminating the financial and other barriers women are facing today.

“Studies show that early detection saves lives. Through our community health grants, Komen is committed to ensuring that age-appropriate uninsured and underinsured women in Southeast Wisconsin have full access to routine breast health services,” said Sally Sheperdson, Executive Director. Sheperdson added, “This is especially critical for individuals with a family history that calls for earlier screenings.”

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About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Southeast Wisconsin is part of Susan G Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer forever. Komen is reaching into surrounding communities to keep the subject of breast cancer high in the public consciousness.  Since 1999, Southeast Wisconsin Komen has raised nearly $5 million toward national research and local education, screening, and treatment for underserved women. In 1980, Nancy C. Brinker watched helplessly as her sister, Susan G. Komen died after a three-year battle with breast cancer. Before Susan died, Nancy made a promise that would change the world: to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise launched Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, now the global leader of the breast cancer movement. The organization has invested hundreds of millions of dollars each year for research, education, screening, treatment, and encouraging governments everywhere to make cancer a top priority.

Three simple steps to early detection are regular mammograms, clinical exams and breast self-exams.