Following the Funds in Kansas

Determined to save lives and end breast cancer forever, Susan G. Komen Kansas  keeps 75 percent of the net income from the Kansas Races right here to fund breast health education, breast cancer screening and diagnosis projects.  Every two years, Komen Kansas conducts a community needs assessment, specifically looking at breast health and breast cancer in our service area. This includes demographics, breast health statistics, an assessment of breast health services and a survey of the community’s beliefs about breast health and access to care. The assessment helps direct grant and education priorities.

“We do the assessment to see where in Kansas people are most in need of our help.  After we review all the data, we develop an action plan to see what Komen can do to have the most impact.” said Kirsten Bruce, Grants and Education Coordinator for the Kansas Affiliate. “It’s my job to look at the gaps in programs and services and determine what can be done to fill those gaps.”

 

Currently, Komen Kansas has nine community grants totaling $345,522 providing breast cancer services in Kansas.  This is one way the funds that Kansas volunteers work hard each year to raise are invested back into the community to ensure Kansans have access to life-saving mammography, are being educated on the importance of early detection, are able to navigate the health system, and more.

“Komen has a wonderful network of grantees and volunteers across the 95 counties in Kansas that we serve.   I love collaborating with them to bring breast health education and services to women and men in Kansas.”  Bruce adds.  “It’s a joy to go to work every day.  I get to spend all day collaborating with volunteers and colleagues with the ultimate goal of making people’s lives better.  It’s hard to beat that!”

In addition to local grant funding, Komen Kansas invests 25% of funds raised in the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Program supporting research awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.  Komen Headquarters announced funding $38 million in promising research in 2013.  Komen granted approximately $8 million in research grants in the state of Kansas.