Dearborn, Mich. — When it comes to breast cancer, early detection can be the difference between life and death. Unfortunately, for many women without insurance, or those who are struggling financially, mammograms aren’t an option. ACCESS is able to step in and provide no-cost screenings and mammograms to those in the community who need them most.
The Breast Cancer Outreach Program at the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center has been a proud recipient of the Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® grant for more than a decade. Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® recently awarded the program a $100,004 grant to help ACCESS continue in a mission both organizations share: to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early breast cancer detection and to win the war against breast cancer.
With the help of this grant, the Breast Cancer Outreach Program at ACCESS serves women over 44 years of age who live in metro Detroit. When necessary, we help facilitate the appropriate follow-up for clients, whether it is a referral for a low-cost or free mammogram or clinical breast exams in their own communities. The program dynamically:
“We are proud to support the excellent work being done at ACCESS,” said Katrina D. Studvent, Race-Chair for the Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure®. “Despite great progress in the battle to end this disease, we cannot rest until every woman – regardless of where she lives, how much money she has, or the color of her skin – has access to early detection and quality care for breast cancer.”
Since 1982, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series has funded community-based breast health programs across the U.S., including grants supporting the Breast Cancer Outreach Program at ACCESS since 2000. These programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them with early detection screening services.
“We are very grateful for the support Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure has shown us over the years and continues to show,” said Mona Makki, Director of the ACCESS Community Health and Research Center. “We are proud to partner with an organization that is assisting us in saving hundreds of lives every year through education and outreach programs, which have been proven to be the most effective way to increase knowledge and awareness among Arab American women by teaching them the warning signs for breast cancer. ACCESS is increasing the utilization of prevention and screening services by bridging the gap between cultural needs and norms, and local area health services.”
The ACCESS team will be participating in the 25th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Detroit on May 21, 2016, at Chene Park. We welcome the community to join the ACCESS Team for the Cure, and we thank you for your support. Please join by visiting www.karmanoscancer.org/komendetroit. Register as an individual and join ACCESS on race day.
About ACCESS
Grounded in a grassroots commitment to serving our community, ACCESS has a 45-year history of providing health, education, employment and social services. An Arab American nonprofit of excellence, ACCESS empowers communities in Southeast Michigan to improve their economic, social and cultural well-being and extends this mission nationally through advocacy, arts, culture and philanthropy.