Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, San Diego Invests Nearly $1 Million in San Diego Breast Health Programs

As a result of the incredible efforts San Diegans have made this past year, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, San Diego will award close to $1 million in grants to local breast health organizations at the 2011 Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Awards Ceremony. The San Diego affiliate will distribute grants amounting to nearly double those of last year, a clear representation of the compassionate priorities of the San Diego community despite less-than-ideal economic conditions. In addition, they will also take this opportunity to award key donors, fundraisers, and supporters.

The event is graciously underwritten by AMN Healthcare and will take place Thursday, April 7, 2011.

“AMN has been a proud corporate sponsor of the Komen Race for the Cure in San Diego and our other U.S. office locations for many years.  During this time, we’ve had hundreds of our team members involved in the race, helping raise awareness and money for the cause.  We’re also pleased to provide our headquarters meeting space in recognition of the generosity of organizations that support Komen,” said Steve Wehn, AMN’s Vice President of Government and Community Relations.

“I am in awe of the incredibly generous residents of San Diego,” said Laura Farmer Sherman, breast cancer survivor and executive director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, San Diego. “These numbers prove that our community cares. San Diegans have spoken with their dollars even during these tough economic times. I believe this says a great deal about this remarkable community we live in. Because of these efforts, we will be able to serve so many more uninsured and underinsured women.”

The grants, raised through local events and fundraisers such as the Susan G. Komen San Diego Race for the Cure, allow the organization to support the uninsured and underinsured women of San Diego through every step of their breast cancer journey – from healthcare to transportation and rent.

“What many don’t realize is that 75 percent will remain in our own backyard to support the breast health of uninsured and underinsured women of San Diego and the other 25 percent of the funds raised will go toward national research,” said Sherman. “$1 million will have an enormous impact on the quality of their lives and their road to recovery. As a survivor myself, I understand the importance of having access to information and resources that guide women in their journeys to survival. We are going to do everything we can to close the gaps in San Diego County and ensure our community needs are met.”

Since its inception in 1995, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, San Diego, has awarded $10 million in grants in an effort to close the gaps in care, which contributed to the estimated 170 breast cancer deaths last year in California alone.

For this reason, Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, San Diego encourages San Diegans to get involved.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, San Diego funded grants to the following organizations in 2011:

• Mama's Kitchen for Breast Cancer Outreach
• Community Clinics Health Network for Komen Breast Cancer Diagnostics
• Breast Cancer Solutions for Enabling Access to Care
• Vista Community Clinic for Outreach & Education
• Sharp Chula Vista for Lymphedema Treatment
• San Ysidro Health Center for PODER/POWER
• La Maestra Family Clinic to Increase Education, Access, etc.
• San Diego County Medical Society for Project Access San Diego
• Grossmont Hospital for Vital Spirit
• Scripps Mercy Chula Vista for Women Guiding Women
• Scripps Mercy Chula Vista for Resident Training Program
• Vista Community Clinic for Patient Navigation
• Sharp Chula Vista for Breast Cancer Patient Nav.
• Regents of UCSD for Patient & Family Resource Center
• Sharp Memorial for Sharp Lymphedema Education
• Family Health Centers for Patient Navigator
• Jewish Family Services for Jewish Family Services Medical Case Management
• Family Health Centers for Amazon Breast Project
• San Ysidro Health Center for Patient Navigation & Survivor

For additional information Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, please visit the national Web site at www.komen.org, or the San Diego Affiliate Web site at www.komensandiego.org.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, San Diego
Since its inception in 1995, $8.5 million has been given to local organizations that provide breast cancer education, screening, diagnostics, treatment and patient support for the uninsured or underinsured in San Diego County.  Seventy-five percent of every dollar raised through Affiliate-sponsored events stays right here in San Diego County fund free diagnostic mammograms, treatment and services for uninsured and underinsured women and their families. The remaining 25 percent funds international breast cancer research.  In fact, next to the U.S. government, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the world. For more information, please visit www.komensandiego.org.
 
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. Today, Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists fighting to save lives, empower people, ensure quality care for all and energize science to find the cures. Thanks to events like the Komen Race for the Cure, the organization has invested nearly $1 billion to fulfill our promise, becoming the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer in the world. www.komen.org

Did you know?
• 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
• The most significant risk factors are being a female and getting older.
• Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate.
• Breast cancer typically strikes women during their most productive years, both professionally and personally.
• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women ages 40-59.
• Men can get breast cancer, too.  1 percent of breast cancer diagnosis will be in male patients.

Contact:
Jennifer Von Stauffenberg
Olive PR Solutions, Inc.
350 West Ash St. #103
San Diego, Calif. 92101
619-955-5285
jennifer@oliveprsolutions.com
http://www.komensandiego.org