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Bucharest, Romania – April 29, 2009 – Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the global leader in the breast cancer movement, is supporting six community projects designed to address some of the most pressing issues Romania faces in the fight against breast cancer. Each year, more than 3,000 women die from breast cancer which is the leading cause of death for women in Romania.
The projects, which are aimed at increasing early detection of breast cancer, range from developing survivor support groups, to a variety of workplace and community-based awareness-raising projects, to a groundbreaking advocacy project to include survivors in the definition of persons with special needs, thus giving survivors the right to obtain free prosthesis. The combined total of the community grants is more than $50,000.
To celebrate the awards, a press event will take place in Cluj on May 6, 2009.
“With more than 1.3 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. “This groundbreaking initiative contributes to creating a dynamic global network of dedicated breast health activists with the skills, knowledge and vision to play a strategic role in shaping their country’s response to breast cancer.”
Addressing the needs and realities identified in community profiles
Grants were based on the individual project’s ability to address the needs and realities identified in community profiles; potential for sustainability and impact on breast health; innovation, and the degree of collaboration with organizations and individuals from diverse backgrounds and sectors.
Komen 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 Romania, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Mexico, Brazil, Costa Rica and Panama.
The community projects in these countries 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.
Projects designed to addressing gaps in breast health awareness and education
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 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 has identified, recruited and trained more than 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, and community grants are empowering them to put their learning into action as they tackle challenges identified in the first year.
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
