October 24, 2013
Contact: Mae Yousif-Bashi, 313.842.1935, mbashi@accesscommunity.org
When it comes to breast cancer, early detection can mean life or death. Unfortunately, for many women without insurance or those who are struggling financially, mammograms aren’t an option. Luckily, ACCESS is able to step in and provide free screenings and mammograms to those in the community who need them most.
The Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP) at ACCESS’ Health & Research Center has been a proud recipient of the Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® grant for more than a decade. Komen recently awarded the program a $72,000 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 winning the war against breast cancer.
Through the help of this grant, the BCCCP serves women over 40 years of age, residing 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, and clinical breast exams in their own communities. BCCCP dynamically:
“We are proud to support the excellent work being done at ACCESS,” said Maureen Keenan Meldrum, Komen Detroit Race Chair. “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 United States, including grants supporting BCCCP at the ACCESS Community Health & Research Center since 2000. These programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them with early detection screening services.
The ACCESS Team will be joining Komen once again in the fight against breast cancer in the 23rd Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Detroit in the Spring of 2014 at Comerica Park. We welcome the community to join the ACCESS Team for the Cure, and we thank you for your support. Please join by clicking here: www.karmanoscancer.org/komendetroit. Register as an individual and join ACCESS on race day.
“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 Dr. Adnan Hammad, senior director of ACCESS’ Community Health & 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 the knowledge and awareness among Arab American women in 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.”