February 14, 2002

Komen Quad Cities Affiliate Awards Grants

The Quad Cities affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. has announced its 2001 grant recipients representing projects supporting breast cancer education, and screening and treatment for the medically underserved.

More than $315,000 was awarded to eight area community groups and agencies. Those receiving awards include:

• Community Health Care: $1424 grant community breast health education and examination program.
• Genesis Medical Center:
  • $15,500 grant to administer Komen Quad Cities Affiliate Voucher Program.
  • $231,378 grant to pay for mammograms, ultrasounds, breast prostheses and lymphedema through the Komen Quad Cities Affiliate Voucher Program.
  • $15,500 grant for breast cancer and family community symposium
• Scott County Health Department: $11,208 grant for Iowa Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
• Visiting Nurse Association, Clinton, Iowa: $6,574 grant for "Hats Off" program, focusing on breast health.
• Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa
  • $1,342 grant for "Hats Off" program focusing on breast health.
  • $3,402 grant for Iowa Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, serving Muscatine County.
  • $13,087 grant for "Care for Yourself" program.
• Henry County, Illinois Health Department: $8,602 grant for "Hats Off" program and support for the Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.
• Whiteside County Health Department:
  • $5,000 grant for Hispanic community breast cancer education program.
  • $5,000 grant for community breast cancer education program.
  • $3,500 grant for MammaCare program.
• Gilda's Club - Quad Cities: $5,000 grant for breast cancer education program for young women.

In order to ensure that they are funding programs that address the specific unmet breast health needs of their communities; Komen Affiliates around the world work with local medical experts and community leaders to conduct comprehensive community needs assessments. These community profiles are then used to establish local grant application and review processes consistent with the Foundation's national standards and its mission.

The Komen Quad Cities affiliate awards grants once a year, in October. Funding is granted according to specified criteria established through information gained in the community needs assessment.

Additional grant monies are currently available for the 2001-funding year. Grant applications must cover programs in the Komen Quad Cities Affiliate service area, including Scott, Muscatine, Cedar and Clinton counties in Iowa, and Rock Island, Henry and Whiteside counties in Illinois.

Individuals or organizations interested in applying for grants should contact Becky Signer, grants chairperson of the Komen Quad Cities Affiliate, at 309-765-4468.

Funds for the grants program are generated from the annual Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure, a 5K race held each June. The 2002 race is scheduled for Saturday, June 8. Since its inception in 1990, the Quad Cities Race has raised $1.5 million and provided more than 2,000 mammogram vouchers to needy Quad City area women.

Seventy-five percent of the net proceeds from the Komen Quad Cities Race for the Cure remain in the greater Quad Cities, with twenty-five percent funding the Komen Foundation's International Grant Program. The Komen Foundation's International Grant Program is regarded as one of the most innovative, responsive grant programs in breast cancer today, having awarded more than $45 million in research grants since its inception.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 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 to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.