Conway Regional receives grants for cancer programs

Earlier this year, the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Arkansas Affiliate presented 24 grants totaling almost $1.2 million to Arkansas organizations. The award to Conway Regional more than doubled the amount received in previous years:

• $49,122 for the “Touching Lives III: Breast Health for Women” program, which is in its third year of providing  breast health education, free mammograms and follow-up diagnostic procedures to uninsured or underinsured women who are eligible.

• $3,300 for the “Look Good…Feel Better” program, which provides wigs for women who are undergoing cancer treatment.

“Touching Lives”

Eligible women are those with low-income who are uninsured or underinsured and do not qualify for BreastCare, Medicaid, Medicare or other funding sources and they reside in the five-county Conway Regional service area, which includes Faulkner, Perry, Conway, Van Buren and Cleburne counties.

“On behalf of the Conway Regional Health Foundation, we want to thank the Susan G. Komen Arkansas affiliate for its commitment to helping us improve the health of women,” said Jim Lambert, president and CEO of Conway Regional Health System. “This vital funding will help our program continue to provide timely education and screenings to women who are least able to afford it.”

To be considered for a free mammogram, call 501.450.2244 to schedule a mammogram and mention the Komen grant. Free mammograms will be given to those who qualify as long as funds are available. For information about the Touching Lives program, call 501.513.5116 or visit www.conwayregional.org.

“Look Good… Feel Better”

“Look Good… Feel Better” is a free, non-medical, product-neutral service offered in partnership with the American Cancer Society, Personal Care Products Council Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association.

The program is administered by the Conway Regional Women’s Center. Conway Regional and the American Cancer Society offer the free service to cancer patients who need help with certain aesthetic needs such as makeup and wigs.

Komen

This year marks the 16th for the Komen organization to award grants to programs around the state that are working in the fight against breast cancer.

“Our grants have become more crucial than ever,” said Arkansas affiliate executive director Sherrye McBryde. “The BreastCare program administered through the department of health in the past has covered 14,000 women with free mammograms. It will provide only 9,000 this year.”

The Komen Arkansas affiliate first awarded grants totaling $78,700 in 1994. This year, the largest grant totaled $217,770, and the smallest was $1,920.

“We are fortunate in Arkansas to have the support of so many for Race for the Cure,” McBryde said. “The efforts of our race participants, volunteers and sponsors allow us to provide funding to our outstanding grantees. They enable us to work toward fulfilling our promise to end breast cancer forever. ”