SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA – March 11, 2009 – Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader in the breast cancer movement, is supporting eight community projects designed to address some of the most pressing issues Costa Rica faces in the fight against breast cancer.
The projects, which are aimed at increasing early detection of breast cancer, include launching a breast health education campaign in some of the largest women’s prisons in San Jose, presenting a theatre play on breast health and breast cancer to migrant and Nicaraguan populations working in the coffee plantations around the country, and developing the first manual for women diagnosed with breast cancer to help guide them through the process including their diagnosis, treatment and medical options.
The combined total of the eight community grants is more than $41,000.
To celebrate the awards, a press event and awards ceremony is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, March 11 at 9am at the Hotel Corobici in San Jose, Costa Rica, and sponsored by the Dr. Anna Gabriela Ross Foundation, the lead partner in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness in Costa Rica.
A dynamic global network of dedicated breast health activists
“With more than 1 million women worldwide receiving a breast cancer diagnosis each year, it has never been more critical to increase advocacy for, and education about, this life-threatening disease,” said Annetta Hewko, Komen for the Cure’s vice president of global strategy and programs. “We are creating a dynamic global network of dedicated breast health activists with the skills, knowledge and vision to play a strategic role in their country’s response to breast cancer.”
Grants were based on the individual project’s ability to address needs identified in community profiles, potential for sustainability, impact on breast health, innovation, and collaboration.
Komen for the Cure and the Institute of International Education (IIE) launched the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness in 2007. It is now active in nine countries.
Community projects address gaps in breast health awareness and education
The community projects are a result of the work carried out by a network of breast cancer advocates who have participated in Komen’s Course for the Cure™ trainings over the past year. Course for the Cure is a series of training modules based on Komen’s 27 years of experience in breast cancer awareness and advocacy. Advocates of the Komen Global Initiative network designed community projects to address gaps in breast health awareness and education identified by the Global Initiative.
The Global Initiative has established strong partnerships with local leaders in breast health and identified, recruited and trained nearly 500 women and men in 24 communities in advocacy, fundraising, health education, volunteerism and community assessment. In each country, these advocates develop a community profile of breast health and identify barriers to care or “gaps” in breast health that had never before been compiled. These prioritized gaps formed the basis for developing plans for education outreach, awareness programs and advocacy efforts to improve breast health outcomes.
In its second year, the Komen Global Initiative activities focus on deepening and supporting the activists trained. Additional training workshops are broadening the network and the tools available to them while community grants are empowering them to put their learning into action as they tackle challenges identified in the first year. Komen is also sponsoring innovative six-month projects in Brazil, Mexico, Romania and Ukraine.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure®
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with more than $1.3 billion invested to date. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.
About the Institute of International Education
Founded in 1919, the Institute of International Education (IIE) is one of the world’s most experienced global higher education and professional exchange organizations. IIE has long worked to implement international training programs to build leadership skills and enhance the capacity of individuals and organizations to address local and global challenges. The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness is managed by IIE West Coast Center in San Francisco.
To learn more about the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Initiative for Breast Cancer Awareness, contact:
Institute of International Education (IIE) West Coast Center
530 Bush Street, Suite 1000 · San Francisco, CA 94108
Tel: +1 415-362-6520 · Fax: +1 415-392-4667
Email: globalkomen@iie.org
Web: www.komen.org/global · www.iiesf.org
