24 Apr 2017 CARTI awarded $20,000 from Komen Arkansas

CARTI has been named the recipient of a $20,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Arkansas Affiliate to fund a resource program designed to benefit low-income CARTI breast cancer patients throughout Arkansas.

“We are always proud of the opportunity to help the women in our state with grant funds,” said Karolyn Taylor, Komen Arkansas mission director.

Currently celebrating its 23rd annual presentation of financial support to Arkansas programs and organizations dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, the CARTI gift is one of a total of 17 individual grants awarded by the Komen Affiliate this year, collectively valued at more than $713,000.

“We want to understand the breast cancer needs of every community we serve, so every four years, the Arkansas Affiliate examines the impact of breast cancer within our service area by conducting an assessment which ensures that our efforts address the greatest needs in each community,” explained Taylor.

“The recipients of these funds were chosen because their innovative, evidence-based projects aligned with one or more target priorities identified in the 2016 Komen Arkansas Community Profile,” said Taylor.

Olivia Wyatt, CARTI counseling and resources coordinator, said the Komen grant will be used to fund “Access to Treatment — Overcoming Barriers,” a program designed to assist low-income breast cancer patients throughout Arkansas with necessary travel and housing expenses related to daily cancer treatment.

“Radiation therapy, for example, typically requires four to six weeks of daily treatment,” said Wyatt, who is also a licensed social worker. “For those who live significant distances from their nearest CARTI location, fuel costs and lodging concerns can sometimes present barriers to low-income breast cancer patients.”

According to Wyatt, the grant will allow CARTI to provide qualifying breast cancer patients with supplemental travel and lodging expenses such as fuel vouchers and complimentary or discounted housing.

“The funding for this program will help CARTI ensure that low-income breast cancer patients have access to quality treatment by helping to relieve the stress and anxiety caused by financial strains,” explained Wyatt. “In doing so, the patient can better focus on completing their treatment regimens and fighting their cancer.”

“We are so appreciative of the generosity shown to CARTI by the Komen Arkansas Affiliate and their funding of these programs benefiting the breast cancer patients we serve,” said Kathi Jones, CARTI Foundation president.

“We genuinely value the partnership we have formed with Komen for the Cure over the years, and we are proud to share in its continuing commitment to raising awareness in the fight against breast cancer.”

CARTI is a not-for-profit, multi-disciplinary cancer care provider offering medical and surgical oncology, diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology at locations throughout the state to provide convenient access for cancer patients. Chemotherapy is offered in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Benton, Clinton, Conway, El Dorado, Heber Springs, Russellville and Stuttgart. Radiation therapy is offered in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway, Mountain Home and Searcy.

The CARTI Foundation was incorporated in 1983 as a non-profit organization to assist CARTI in meeting the current and future needs of Arkansas cancer patients and their families.

For more information, visit CARTI.com.