Announcing the 2010-2011 Award Recipients

South Dakota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program Announces 2010-2011 Award Recipients

Women and men, including current breast cancer patients and survivors, will benefit directly from this year’s South Dakota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grant Program. The South Dakota Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, one of 121 Affiliates nationwide dedicated to putting an end to breast cancer, recently provided community grants totaling $236,650 to support breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs throughout the state. Priority for funding was given to programs benefitting those who are un-insured or under-insured, and those in rural/remote locations.

“Despite a challenging economy, people in South Dakota understand the need to continue the fight against breast cancer and they helped make it possible for the South Dakota Affiliate to provide $236,650 to help South Dakotans in the fight against cancer,” said Kathy Manning, president of the Komen South Dakota Affiliate.  “To ensure our funds are making the greatest impact, the Komen South Dakota Affiliate works with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments.  We have identified specific, unmet breast health needs within our state and ‘filled in the gaps,’ delivering the life-saving message of early detection, and providing assistance to medically underserved breast cancer patients and their families.”

The South Dakota agencies receiving 2010 grants are: 

• All Women Count/Women’s Cancer Network, Pierre, SD to provide mammograms for under-insured women under the age of 50.
• Avera Cancer Institute, Sioux Falls, SD to fund a 12 week survivorship program focused on holistic rehabilitation.
• Faulkton Area Medical Center, Faulkton, SD to provide education and screening services to rural women and Hutterite communities.
• John Vucurevich Regional Cancer Care Institute, Rapid City, SD to increase access to women needing breast cancer treatment in remote locations outside of Pennington County.
• Sanford Breast Health Institute, Sioux Falls, SD to implement a comprehensive support program for breast cancer patients and their families.
• Huron Regional Medical Center, Huron, SD to support education and discounted screenings for rural women.
• Avera Queen of Peace, Mitchell, SD to provide screenings to 40 women who have not received regular screenings in the past. 
• Avera St. Benedict Health Center, Parkston, SD for breast health awareness, education and screenings for rural women.
• Therapeutic Healing Institute, Sioux Falls, SD to provide complementary therapy for breast cancer patients.
• Platte Health Care Center Avera, Platte, SD for breast health awareness, education and screenings for up to 15 rural women.
• Yankton Rural Health Education Center, Yankton, SD for the training of four rural health care providers from Yankton and Sturgis who will provide breast health education in 15 rural communities across the state.

Up to 75 percent of funds raised by the Komen Affiliate remain in the state to fund local breast health education, and breast cancer screening and treatment programs. Remaining net income (a minimum of 25 percent) supports the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

Komen for the Cure 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. Together, with its Affiliates led by more than 100,000 survivors and activists, Komen is the world's largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting to end breast cancer forever. As the face and voice of the global breast cancer movement, corporate partners and generous donors, the Komen Foundation has raised nearly one billion dollars in 25 years for the fight against breast cancer.

The South Dakota Affiliate will hold its 3rd Annual Komen Race for the Cure on September 26, 2010 in Vermillion, SD.  Funds raised through this event are used to support programs like those listed above.  For more information about grant opportunities or the South Dakota Race for the Cure visit www.komensouthdakota.com or call 605.990.2873.