Current Grant Recipients

The 2012 Grants Have Been Awarded!

The Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is thrilled to announce that we are awarding over $346,000 in community grants this year!    The programs listed below are the 2012 community grant recipients.   In addition, our Affiliate has invested $114,000 this year in breast cancer research through the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program.    Since our Affiliate was incorporated, we have invested more than $2.6 million in education, screening and treatment services to the citizens of Maine and over $780,000 in research to find the cures. 

BREAST HEALTH EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH 
Fish River Rural Health - Aroostook County
207-444-5973 | www.frrh.org
Categories: Education, Screening & Treatment
 
Fish River Rural Health (FRRH), a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) located in northern Maine, through the Maine Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure initiative will offer comprehensive breast health education outreach program to both its patients and community population, with a goal of serving over 1,000 individuals. FRRH’s resource library contains a variety of books and DVDs on breast health and breast cancer. During health physical exams, women have the option of viewing a breast self-exam DVD prior to seeing the healthcare provider and receive a breast health packet. FRRH will be holding Lunch & Learn sessions on breast health within its region. FRRH has established a breast cancer support group called The Journey which meets every other month in Fort Kent. No-cost or low-cost mammograms will be available and transportation assistance to qualifying FRRH patients. FRRH is a partner with Caring Connections, who provide free Bridging Books for women diagnosed with breast cancer. Activities that encourage health promotion and disease prevention prove that time invested in building a health conscious community has a far-reaching effect in shaping a healthier Maine.

BRIDGING BOOKS
Caring Connections, Bangor Y - Multi-County
207-941-2808 | www.bangory.org
Categories: Education

Upon hearing the words, “You have breast cancer”, a woman is most likely in a state of shock. It is difficult to be rational and ask meaningful questions. The Bridging Books program provides women with carefully selected resources on the day of diagnosis. Many women have little information about breast cancer, and don’t need it unless she or someone close to her is diagnosed. Resources are available, but newly diagnosed women don’t know where to look or which resources are credible. For women diagnosed in northern and eastern Maine, the gift of a Bridging Books packet assures the newly diagnosed woman that she does not have to be alone. The information in the packet empowers both the newly diagnosed woman and her co-survivors. This year approximately 325 packets will be distributed to newly diagnosed women through the offices of over 50 health care professionals. Packets include among other things, a comprehensive text, booklets, and a pamphlet that helps a woman understand her pathology report – critically important knowledge in deciding one’s treatment. A DVD offering the insights of women with breast cancer is included in the packet along with a multimedia resource list. Bridging Books packet contents are constantly reviewed and revised to maintain the most current information possible. Most importantly the program is evaluated utilizing participant and provider written feedback to improve the program.

BRIDGING THE GAP 
Caring Connections, Bangor Y - Multi-County
207-941-2808 | www.bangory.org
Categories: Education & Screening
 
Because many Maine women age 20 to 39 lack financial resources and health insurance, they do not access health care when they have breast symptoms or are at increased risk for breast cancer. They may also face additional barriers related to transportation, fear and lack advocacy access or skills. Delay in health care services for these women can prove deadly. Bridging The Gap (BTG) provides access to no-cost breast exams and imaging, and follow-up. For FY 2013 BTG plans to enroll 18 to 22 young women into the program. The women receive screening and additional diagnostic tests and/or surgical consults when needed. Due to our partnership agreements, women are not invoiced for Eastern Maine Medical Center services if more tests or treatment for breast cancer is needed. Applicants receive assistance with the BTG application, breast health education, and are offered transportation & advocacy/navigator services. BTG’s priorities include breast health education for young women and other underserved populations. Due to intensive outreach and collaboration with health care providers, agencies & organizations, BTG provides needed care and education to young women and breast health education to target populations identified by Komen Maine Affiliate in our communities.

BUSTING THE BARRIERS
Western Maine Community Action - Multi-County
207-795-4007 | www.wmca.org
Categories: Education & Screening

The Busting the Barrier Project is an educational and screening effort to reach the often medically underserved population of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals. Research shows this population often does not get regular mammograms and breast health screenings due to a variety of reasons. The project is intended to bust the barriers and increase awareness of cancer risks and screening options among sexual minority women who are low-income and/or do not seek out regular medical care. During educational sessions, participants will be encouraged to get annual breast cancer screenings and invited to our special LGBT screening event staffed with knowledgeable, experienced, open-minded and nonjudgmental clinicians. This project would also include a small piece on educating mammography staff on transgender awareness for when this population seeks out mammograms or breast ultrasounds. The project will be evaluated with pre- and post-educational session and screening event surveys. The sustainability of the program will be through seeking continued funding and at minimum becoming known as a safe place for LGBT individuals to seek out medical care.

CANCER TREATMENT TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM
Community Concepts - Androscoggin County
207-795-4065 | www.community-concepts.org
Categories: Treatment

The main goal of this program is to provide transportation to and from breast cancer treatments, as well as to provide support services for patients that are unable to find any alternative transportation. Community Concepts Transportation Program utilizes 250 volunteers and 3 agency vans to transport clients to medical services, schools, counseling, and day services. The Transportation Program serves over 8,000 clients each year. As a result of this, volunteers travel over 13 million miles and provide over 600,000 trips. The majority of this grant given to Community Concepts will be used to provide a $.41 per mile reimbursement to the volunteers for the cost of fuel as well as the wear and tear on their vehicles. Community Concepts has recognized that one on the most difficult challenges a rural breast cancer patient may face is the transportation to and from their treatments and services. By providing transportation to and from these treatments and services, Community Concepts is contributing to the independence and well-being of those that they serve.

KNOWLEDGE TO SAVE YOUR LIFE
Maine General Medical Center - Kennebec & Somerset Counties
207-626-1438 | www.mainegeneral.org
Categories: Education & Screening

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Maine Affiliate funds will improve breast screening rates and information for residents of the rural Kennebec River Valley in these ways: (1) Make Komen funded breast health screenings and needed diagnostics available to approximately 125 women without adequate insurance and/or ineligible for other program support from MBCHP, MaineCare and Care Partners. (2) Continue the extended community outreach with newly produced education and access information for breast screening to both the general population and targeted special populations (low literacy, the mentally ill, homeless and others as possible). (3) Continue support to primary care practices in the region through contacts with practice managers and their teams to increase education and screening rates for the women they serve over 40. Screened participants will be surveyed to assess effectiveness of strategies and implement the most effective for each target population.

MABEL'S GAINING ACCESS PROJECT
Mabel Wadsworth Women's Health Center - Penobscot County
207-947-5337 | www.mabelwadsworth.org
Categories: Screening

The purpose of Mabel's Gaining Access Project (GAP) is to ensure that routine, preventative women's health screenings and service are available at low cost to those that are uninsured. Funding from this Susan G. Komen Grant will be used specifically to advertise and underwrite the breast health components of our clinical and educational work. Some of the key activities will include, but are not limited to, radio advertising and increased breast health training and resources for both clients as well as staff. In addition to this, Mabel Wadsworth Center staff will assist women in navigating the health care system by providing referrals and making appointments for services that are outside of the Center. Evaluation measures include the creation and broadcast of the radio ads, which will ultimately lead to a total of 200 women receiving GAP assistance by the end of 2012. Through accessing GAP assistance, more uninsured women in our community will receive the help they need.

RIDE TO WELLNESS
Penquis CAP - Penobscot & Piscataquis Counties
207-973-3691 | www.penquis.org
Categories: Treatment

The Penquis Lynx Transportation program will partner with Eastern Maine Medical Center’s CancerCare of Maine to eliminate transportation as a barrier to women seeking breast cancer treatment and diagnostic services. “Ride to Wellness” will: 1) Increase access to treatment for at least 60 individuals for whom transportation is a barrier; (2) Increase awareness of transportation services available among 30 staff and volunteers of six area providers, as well as an estimated 19,000 residents. Ride to Wellness will serve any residents in Penobscot or Piscataquis counties with a self-identified need for this services. There will be no income limitations. Transportation will be addressed in several ways, in order to meet the diverse needs of the women served and to provide services as efficiently and cost effectively as possible: Family & Friend Reimbursement, Volunteer Driver, Agency Vehicles, and Taxi, as well as through existing transportation programs, when  eligibility guidelines are met. Providers will make referrals, provide individuals with the toll-free number for the Lynx, and if an individual is unable to make the call, may call the Lynx on the patients behalf (with permission) and assist with trip arrangements as needed.  Penquis and CancerCare will meet at least quarterly for process and outcome evaluations, utilizing data from Client Intake Forms, Client Surveys, Partner Meeting Minutes, Program Notes, Educational Assessment surveys, and other data maintained and reported by project partners. The project partners hope that increased access to care will improve survival rates and the quality of life for the women accessing the program.

SUNRIDES TO WELLNESS
Washington Hancock Community Agency - Washington and Hancock Counties
207-664-2424 Ext. 4410 | www.whcacap.org
Categories: Treatment

This program's main purpose is to implement solutions to the chronic lack of transportation to treatments encountered by breast cancer patients in both Washington and Hancock Counties. This Komen Grant will ensure that several key activities are possible. 1) A Mobility Manager will: Develop and coordinate community resources for transport and overnight housing, as well as generate personalized transportation plans for the patient. 2) The Easy Rides by Mobilitate database will: Generate reports that include the start/end location, miles traveled, funder, and mix of program funding assistance designated to each patient. It will also dispatch changes in transport availability, road condition, client requirements, and enable patient satisfaction surveys. 3) The Communication Plan will include proliferation of their service to diverse communities by means of: Bilingual program materials dispersed to medical and social service providers, brochures and place cards available in their vans, buses, and volunteer driver vehicles, and newspaper, radio, and Television articles and PSA's. The impact from these activities will make travel less cumbersome for clients, increase the number of diagnostic and treatment appointments completed, and overall, decrease in stress on the client as well as their care-giver/support.

SUPPORT SERVICE FUND
Maine Breast Cancer Coalition - Statewide
800-928-2644 | www.mainebreastcancer.org
Categories: Screening & Treatment

The Support Service Fund was established in 2000 to provide financial assistance for breast health/breast cancer needs to underserved Maine people. During the past 11 years, MBCC has awarded a total of more than $1,000,000 dollars in grants in all Maine counties to more than 2,000 low-income, uninsured, or underinsured applicants who don’t qualify for, or whose particular needs aren’t covered by other assistance programs. The Fund has covered a wide range of essential services or items including but not limited to screening and diagnostic services, treatment costs, prescriptions, prostheses, lymphedema compression garments, temporary living expenses for people in treatment, and treatment-related transportation costs. The Fund’s efficacy is evaluated through data collection and analysis and recipients’ feedback. The Support Service Fund is a unique program that meets the applicant at her or his point of need, providing a “safety net” for Maine residents who have exhausted other possibilities for breast cancer or breast health related assistance. MBCC expects to award grants to a projected 450 statewide applicants in 2012.