Where the Money Goes
Breast Cancer Empowerment
Every year, thousands of women come for the knowledge to save their lives, and leave with the power to save generations.
Several years ago, thanks to money you helped us raise through the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure, the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate introduced a series of innovative outreach programs designed to break through barriers associated with certain cultural traditions and other factors of ethnicity.
Each of these free events attracts more than 1,000 women annually:
- Sisters for the Cure African-American Outreach: December 10, 2011
- Latinas United for the Cure: March 24, 2012
- Asian-American Outreach Event: June 2012
Having established the groundwork though these three Philadelphia-based events, we now offer similar programs in other counties, and for groups such Jewish, Arabic and lesbian, bi-sexual and transgendered communities.
Each outreach event speaks specifically to breast health challenges of the community being served, and embraces them through language, entertainment, keynote addresses and group session topics. From the issues we address, to the food we serve, we create a comfortable, confident environment for women who have lived most of their lives in fear of the disease.
Our outreach approach has become the model for Komen Affiliates nationwide—woman by woman, city by city, we are making a difference locally and around the world.
Whether it is a hotel full of thousands of women, or a church embracing a few dozen, the IMPACT of the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure is clear:
- Life-saving breast health education
- Transition and healing for survivors
- Access to powerful resources
- Confidence, interaction and faith in the cure
- Celebration of life
- Pride in helping to create a breast-cancer-free world
- Empowerment for future generations
Grantees in Action
Every year, the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate empowers more than 30 grantees in 13 counties with over $2 million to fight breast cancer.
Last year, the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate proudly distributed more than $2.1 million in grants to thirty-eight organizations in our thirteen-county service area to support breast cancer outreach programs. These grantees represent some of the finest healthcare, community and family organizations throughout our thirteen counties—working with the medically underserved, including uninsured and underinsured individuals and those who may not receive adequate care because of barriers such as language, cultural differences, fear and ability to pay.
Our highly specialized grantee selection process assures funded programs uphold the integrity of the Komen name and reach a balanced diversity in terms of ethnicity, geography and lifestyle.
In 2011-2012, programs funded by Komen Philadelphia Affiliate grants are expected to accomplish:
- 6,161referral mammograms
- 3,846 mammograms performed
- 4,365 Clinical breast exams
- 8,273 people educated and counseled
- 40,849 total people reached
“These grantees represent the grassroots efforts that make Susan G. Komen for the Cure a leader in the international breast cancer movement,” said Elaine I. Grobman, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. “Teams from these organizations are out in our communities every day bringing the cure—in the form of early detection, education, and other support services—to women most in need."
The IMPACT of the Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure is clear—you can see it at work, every day, right here in the neighborhoods in which you live:
- Breast health education
- Awareness
- Screening and treatment
- Support projects specifically targeting low-income, uninsured women
- LIVES SAVED
Voices of Personal Triumphs
A young woman in need connects with the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate and finds hope, friendship and a future—empowered by your Race for the Cure dollars.
To Elaine and the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate,
My name is Casey Spiwak. I am 23 years old and currently working extremely hard to pay my bills and figure out what I want to do with my life. I discovered two lumps in my breast about three months ago and have since been tirelessly wrestling with my insurance company to pay for what they deem a pre-existing condition. Joyce Mehlman, the wife of a man my boyfriend befriended at his job, gave my name to your organization, and I am writing to personally thank you for taking the time to help me in my awful predicament.
Your organization got in touch with me and helped me to schedule an appointment with a doctor who will help me—and for that I am eternally grateful. In addition to my thanks, I am writing you in hopes that you will keep me in mind anytime you need anything I can help you with: whether it be to spread the word about how this situation changed—and will continue to change—my life, or to raise money or awareness for your amazing organization.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you so much for your outpouring of compassion and concern for me. I hope that you keep me in mind if, like me, you ever need a favor from a stranger. Thank you again so much for all you have done for me.
Casey Spiwak
13 Counties, 1 World Without Breast Cancer
The beauty of your Race for the Cure participation is that it empowers your loved ones here at home, plus women around the world and generations yet to come.
We firmly believe that every Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure dollar raised represents lives saved, and we are focused on assuring every possible dollar goes toward our mission. You can think of your Komen Philadelphia Race for the Cure fundraising as an investment in life, with 75% of Komen Philadelphia Race funds staying right here in our 13-county service area, and the remaining 25% supporting the national Komen Grant Program to fund ground-breaking research.
As part of the world’s largest breast cancer organization, The Komen Philadelphia Affiliate embraces hundreds of thousands of people in our community.
We empower all men and women… from all walks of life…in all generations… to end this disease.
We dedicate ourselves to actively:
- Save lives through early detection
- Educate so all may find power from our experiences
- Protect by supporting improved treatment
- Assure access to quality care for all
- Support each person along the breast cancer journey
- Inspire generations to believe in the cure
- Stop at nothing until everyone shares the reality of life without breast cancer
All this is made possible through your Race for the Cure dollars!
Consider how little it takes to save a life:
- FACT: Mammograms and early detection saves lives
- FACT: Approximately 1-3 women out of every 100 screened will be diagnosed with the disease
- FACT: Hundreds of women who need mammogram assistance in our community are not getting it
- SOLUTION: Every $100 you raise is enough for one of those women to get the mammogram that could save her life - or two women to get a clinical breast exam - through the Komen Philadelphia Community Grants Program.
Moreover, as we all know, ending breast cancer doesn't stop with detecting it. This is yet another reason your continued Race for the Cure fundraising is so very critical.
