ST. LOUIS (May 6, 2010) — SSM Breast Care has been awarded several grants totaling more than $280,000 to help increase breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment for women living in the St. Louis region. In April, the St. Louis Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® presented more than $250,000 to be used for various breast health programs available through SSM St. Mary’s Health Center, SSM St. Clare Health Center, SSM St. Joseph Health Center, SSM St. Joseph Medical Park, SSM St. Joseph Hospital West and SSM St. Joseph Health Center - Wentzville. Additionally, SSM Breast Care was awarded $30,000 from the Karen Weidinger Foundation to support breast health programs in the St. Charles, Mo. area available through SSM St. Joseph Health Center, SSM St. Joseph Health Center- Wentzville, SSM St. Joseph Medical Park and SSM St. Joseph Hospital West.
Komen St. Louis Affiliate Grants
The Komen St. Louis grant money encompasses three individual grants designated for specific programs within the SSM Breast Care network. SSM Breast Care at St. Mary’s Health Center Empower and Engage Program received $78,501.24 to support its services that provide free breast health services for qualified women including screening and diagnostic mammograms, ultrasound and breast healthcare education, and coordination of services.
SSM Breast Care at St. Clare Health Center was awarded $61,124.45 for its Women's Information and Screening Endeavor (WISE) Program. The WISE Program employs a clinical coordinator who recruits women living along the I-44 corridor of St. Louis, including Franklin and Jefferson County, for free mammography and breast health education. Once in the WISE program, women receive additional support from a breast health specialist who provides in-depth education, clinical breast exams and care coordination empowering women to be proactive about their breast health.
The SSM St. Joseph Foundation was awarded $111,071 for their SSM Breast Care Health Outreach Program that serves uninsured and underinsured women aged 40-64 and those under 40 with symptoms or at high risk of breast cancer in St. Charles, Lincoln, Warren and Montgomery County. Program services include patient education regarding the risks of breast cancer and instruction in proper breast self examination. Women receive a clinical breast exam and a screening or diagnostic mammogram, necessary biopsies and any needed follow-up care. The program is available at SSM Breast Care at St. Joseph Health Center, St. Joseph Medical Park, St. Joseph Hospital West and St. Joseph Health Center - Wentzville.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, and the St. Louis Affiliate is one of 125 Affiliates on the front lines dedicated to ending breast cancer in their communities. Komen Affiliates fund innovative programs that help women and men overcome the cultural, social, educational and financial barriers to breast cancer screening and treatment.
Karen Weidinger Foundation Grant
SSM Breast Care at St. Joseph Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center- Wentzville, St. Joseph Medical Park and St. Joseph Hospital West are also recipients of a $30,000 grant from the Karen Weidinger Foundation (KWF) to support breast cancer survivor program services. The program provides weight management and nutrition services, wigs, head coverings, cammis, puffs, yoga and Tai Chi classes, psychological support and counseling, cancer genetic counseling, breast cancer community education and survivor events.
KWF is a local organization focused on bringing breast cancer awareness to the community, as well as providing compassion for those currently undergoing breast cancer treatments in St. Charles, Mo. and surrounding counties. KWF continues to seek support from individuals and corporations in and around the community. To date they have raised and given away over $140,000 to help individuals and families cope with the struggles of overcoming this deadly disease.
About SSM Breast Care
At SSM Breast Care, we combine the powerful resources and expertise across seven hospitals to offer the best possible care, from screening and diagnosis to treatment and follow-up support. Our multidisciplinary team includes breast fellowship trained surgeons, radiologists and breast health specialists, also known as nurse navigators, who utilize some of the most advanced technology options available such as digital mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and image-guided and stereotactic biopsy. SSM Breast Care locations include DePaul Health Center, St. Clare Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center, St. Joseph Health Center- Wentzville, St. Joseph Medical Park, St. Joseph Hospital West and St. Mary’s Health Center. Go to www.ssmhealth.com/breastcare for more information or call 314-SSM-DOCS (314-776-3627).
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Komen St. Louis Affiliate
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever, and in 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The St. Louis Affiliate is part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through events like the Komen St. Louis Race for the Cure, the St. Louis Affiliate has invested more than $13 million in community breast cancer programs in 17 counties. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Affiliate stays in the St. Louis area. The remaining 25 percent funds national breast cancer research. For more information, call 315-569-3900 or visit www.komenstlouis.org.