TULSA, Okla., Jan. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tulsa Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation has selected three Tulsa-based non-profit organizations to receive grant awards totaling $300,803, it was announced today by Affiliate President Karl Ahlgren during an awards ceremony at OSU-Tulsa.
The total grants funded represent a 20.3 percent increase over last year due to substantial fundraising gains made in 2004 by the Komen Tulsa Race for the Cure(R), the organization’s primary fundraising event. The popular annual 5K race featured more than 6,200 runners, walkers and wheelchair participants who paid to support the Foundation’s efforts. Last year, the organization awarded $250,000 in grants to Tulsa-based non-profits.
The recipients, which include Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa, Tulsa Project Woman, Inc. and Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization, Northeastern Oklahoma Affiliate, will help the Komen Foundation reach its mission of eradicating breast cancer as a life-threatening disease through research, education, screening and treatment.
“Tulsa’s Komen Foundation had an outstanding year with the 2004 Race for the Cure(R),” said Ahlgren, “and we raised a record amount of money -- $429,000, which is a 27 percent increase over last year. The best news is, this gives us substantially more funds to share with these organizations that do such good work in the Tulsa community. All have demonstrated a commitment to making a difference in the lives of Tulsa residents through their breast health programs. A maximum of seventy-five percent of the net funds raised from the Tulsa Komen Race for the Cure(R) and other events stays right here in Tulsa. With the assistance of these organizations, we will make a bigger impact in Tulsa than we could ever make by ourselves.” A minimum of 25% of the net funds helps fund the Komen Foundation Award and Research Grant Program.
The $300,803 in grants was awarded as follows: * Tulsa Project Woman, Inc. -- $241,419: This program is a joint effort between various Tulsa-area health care institutions that provides access to breast health care and education to women with limited financial resources. This coalition provides clinical breast exams, breast health education, mammography screening and diagnostic studies to facilitate the early diagnosis of breast cancer, and ultrasounds to eligible clients. Patients who require surgical consultation are referred to participating physicians. * Indian Health Care Resource Center -- $51,942: This program will provide breast cancer education and screening services to low- and moderate-income women who lack insurance coverage. It is estimated that 500 Native American women over 40 years of age will receive mammography and clinical breast exam, and self-exam instruction. An additional 500 women under the age of 40 will receive self-exam instruction. * Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization-Northeastern Oklahoma Affiliate -- $7,442: Y-ME’s program provides peer support through seven facilitated support groups meeting monthly. Current groups include “Pink Ribbon Sisters” (those newly diagnosed with breast cancer), “Sisters Circle” (Native American), “Sister Survivors” (African American), “Hispanic”, and those with “Special Needs”. Two additional new groups, “Spouses of Survivors” and “Pre-Menopausal Women” will be developed.
Grants are offered to organizations that can demonstrate innovative projects in the areas of breast health and/or breast cancer education, outreach, screening or treatment support. This includes projects targeting services not otherwise available to the medically underserved populations of the Tulsa Metropolitan area.
The Komen Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker in memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died of breast cancer at the age of 36. Since then, the Foundation and its Affiliates have raised more than $600 million for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. Affiliates fulfill the Foundation’s mission in local communities by raising funds through events such as the Komen Race for the Cure(R). In the eight years it has hosted the Komen Race for the Cure(R), the Tulsa Affiliate has awarded approximately $1.5 million in local and national grants.
Tulsa Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
CONTACT: Robert Lawson, D.O., Medical Director, +1-918-382-1245, orDianne Hughes, Clinic Administrator, +1-918-382-1246, both of Indian HealthCare Resource Center of Tulsa; or Leslie Walden of Tulsa Project Woman, Inc.,+1-918-743-6767; or Beth Cordingly of Y-Me National Breast CancerOrganization, Northeastern Oklahoma Affiliate, +1-918-494-8808; or publicrelations, Chris Payne, +1-918-669-2236, or chris.payne@dtag.com , for TulsaAffiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; or grant questions,Cyd Scott, +1-918-560-3207, or cscott@bcbsok.com , for Tulsa Affiliate of theSusan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation