Click here to view pictures from the 2006 Grant Awards Luncheon
Just In Case You Ever Wondered
Beaufort-Japsper-Hampton Comprehensive Health
Awarded: $37,022
Abstract Summary: In South Carolina, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women. Based on 1996 to 1998 data, Beaufort County had the second highest breast cancer rate among the state's 46 counties. "Just in Case You Ever Wonder" will consists of community outreach education and direct subsidy of mammograms for women in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties targeting African American and Hispanic Women. An estimated 18 percent of Lowcountry women, who would benefit from mammography, some 4,000 women, are uninsured or have inadequate insurance coverage. Since April 2004, Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Services, Inc. Radiology did 31 mammograms on women ages 35 to 39 and three were recommended for ultrasound follow-up. Women usually this young are experiencing a problem if they are seeking assistance. African-American women are twice as likely to die of cancer than are white women after diagnosis. The Hispanic population is steadily growing and many of these women do not qualify for medicare. The goal of the program is to provide community outreach education, direct subsidy of clinical breast exams and mammograms for women aged 35 and older who live at or below 200 percent of poverty and additional diagnostic tests.
Witness Project
Charleston Breast Center
Awarded: $48,000
Abstract Summary: The Charleston Breast Center (CBC) is a not for profit facility providing comprehensive breast health care services throughout the Lowcountry that will open in February 2006. The mission of the Charleston Breast Center is to bridge state-of-the-art breast cancer detection and treatment with education and compassionate comprehensive care. A specific goal of the CBC is to improve health care discrepancies. An urgent need is to address the fact that in South Carolina (SC), African American women have a 32% higher death rate from breast cancer compared to women who are white. The Witness Project will provide "a culturally competent, community-based cancer education program for African American Women". The Witness Project provides training, guidance and support to maintain a successful program. The grant will also provide for screening and diagnostic mammograms. Witness Project programs are presented in churches and community centers by Witness Role Models (African American women who are breast cancer survivors) and Lay Health Advisors. The survivors are seen as a blessing and proof that cancer is not a death sentence. The Lay Health Advisors work with the project to organize and publicize programs, network with community people, give facts about breast cancer, answer questions about available services, and teach Breast Self Examination. The Witness Project® creates a personal connection between the messenger and the audience in a non-threatening atmosphere. The result is a cancer education intervention that has been successful in over 32 states since 1991. Through this program, women will be encouraged to participate in mammography screening programs. Funds will be available through the grant to provide screening and diagnostic mammography services, breast biopsy, cancer surgery and transportation assistance for those women ineligible for other programs. Once we have shown it to be successful in Charleston County, we hope to expand it next year by collaborating with other counties served by the Komen Lowcountry Affiliate.
African American Spiritual Health
Kecia Miller Foundation
Awarded: $35,300
Abstract Summary: In 2002, Isaiah and Doris Miller lost their 39 year old daughter, Kecia E. Miller, to breast cancer. Kecia was a vivacious, well-educated African American woman diagnosed with breast cancer at age 35. She fought breast cancer for four years. Before her death she told her mother "If I had known then what I know now about breast cancer, I would not be in this condition." This experience motivated Mrs. Miller to become proactive in educating women, especially younger women like her daughter about breast health for prevention and early detection and treatment. This proposed project, "Spiritual Health Connection Network for Breast Cancer" is submitted by the Kecia E. Miller Foundation, Inc. (KEMF). This non-profit organization was established in Ravenel, South Carolina in 2004 by Mrs. Doris Miller to promote breast cancer awareness and education among young African American women. The proposed project will be implemented by the board members of this organization. The project goal is to provide breast cancer awareness and education targeted to young women in ten African American churches, with the Susan G. Komen message to "take charge of your breast health, and take charge of it early on". (The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Charleston Affiliate, Community Profile Report, 1994). The project will build infrastructure for a sustainable network of ten African American churches in Charleston County. The program will include a "Take Charge Tool Kit" for each of the 10 health leaders in the churches. The tool kits will have state of the art print materials, breast models for hands-on training, listing of resources to assist women in taking charge of their breast health. The tool kits and a tool kit training session will include detailed instructions for implementing specific program components in their churches. KEMF leaders will collaborate with community resources for mammography screening opportunities including the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center Mobile Health Unit and the Best Chance Network. The Hollings Cancer Center Breast Cancer Patient Navigation Program will be a resource to ensure that poor uninsured women in this network receive timely, high quality and complete breast cancer detection and treatment services. Using their skills from the training session, each of the health leaders will implement the programs within their churches, with the KEMF Board members available for guidance and support.
Bridging the Gap
Our Lady of Mercy Johns Island
Awarded: $52,175
Abstract Summary: The "Bridging the Gap Project" of the Wellness House, a service of Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach Services, Inc, will provide a simultaneous two-part initiative against breast cancer in the Low Country. In part one, the Wellness House will use its outreach capabilities among the medically underserved on Johns Island, James Island and Wadmalaw Island to identify 50 women in need of breast cancer screenings. Mamographies and diagnostic screenings will be provided by the Charleston Breast Center, with transportation arranged through the Wellness House. In part two, the Wellness House, in cooperation with Prime Cuts Productions, will develop and distribute educational materials to promote breast self-examinations and breast cancer awareness among Hispanic women in the Low Country. The materials, all of which will be in Spanish, will include a brief instructional video, public service announcements, and posters. The project director of "Bridging the Gap" is Annette Maranville, R.N., M.S.N.
Pink Prevention
Allendale County Hospital
Awarded: $15,000
Abstract Summary: The Pink Prevention grant that has been awarded to Allendale County Hospital will provide funding for screening and diagnostic mammograms for all women ages 21-64 who are uninsured or underinsured and reside in one of the 12 counties which are a part of the Low Country Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation (Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Hampton, Jasper, and Orangeburg). The grant will also cover the cost of the radiologist fee. A doctor's order is all that is required. There are no income guidelines to qualify for this service. It is a goal of this project to reach as many uninsured and underinsured women below or above the poverty level so no one will have to do without a mammogram and run the risk of undiagnosed breast cancer. By providing this service to this select group of women, it is hoped that the morbidity caused by breast cancer will be reduced. If you qualify for these services or have any questions, please contact Paula Wall, Project Director, or the X-ray Department at Allendale County Hospital at 803-632-3311.
Choppee Breast Health Initiative
St. James- Santee Family Health Centers
Awarded: $12,909
Abstract Summary: St. James-Santee Family Health Center, Inc., in collaboration with its partnering agencies of the Choppee Health Complex is promoting the Choppee Rural Breast Health Improvement Initiative. Partnering agencies of the one-stop-shop Choppee Health Complex include: Waccamaw Health District, Waccamaw Mental Health, Georgetown Drug and Alcohol Commission, and the Georgetown Diabetes Corp Group. This project is funded by the Susan G. Komen Foundation and will provide breast cancer screening, bilingual education, on-site mammograms, and transportation to women in rural Georgetown County at the Choppee Facility. The Project also provides transportation to the diagnostic mammogram facility when the mobile unit is unavailable. These services will help meet the needs of this isolated rural area. The Susan G. Komen Foundation has identified Georgetown County as a target area, and has stated that rural communities need to expand breast health screening and support services. We invite you to contact St. James-Santee Family Health Center, Inc. at (843)545-8723 for further information regarding your needs.
Think Pink III
The Regional Medical Center of Orangeburg, SC
Awarded: $14,305
Abstract Summary: The Regional Medical Center has been selected as a recipient for a grant from The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. This grant will provide funding for working women with no insurance, ages 35-46, to have a free screening mammogram. This will also provide for the radiologist’s fee and diagnostic work up if needed. If you are a woman, age 35-46, currently employed but with no health insurance and feel you would meet the qualifications for these services, please call Rebecca L. Hejl, lead mammography at The Regional Medical Center 803-395-2841.
