Race funds support many local programs, research

Susan G. Komen Texarkana Race for the Cure has raised more than $5 million in 19 years.

More than $4.7 million has been donated to local programs that provide breast cancer screening to people who are underserved and also breast health education and treatment support projects.

About 75 percent of the funds raised from the event stay here, and 25 percent are sent to support the many research projects funded by Komen.

To qualify for funding from Komen, agencies are required to meet specific criteria, including being a nonprofit and serving individuals in the diagnostic field or in breast health education.

There is an independent grant committee that determines which organizations receive funds locally. Members of the grant committee are not affiliated with the Komen board of directors or the organization.

The mission is for funds to impact people in a positive way by increasing access to needed breast health services.

“I see it help ladies every day. We get to meet the individuals who’ve used these funds for mammograms and it detected breast cancer. We also get to give peace of mind to those who are concerned there may be something there and it’s not,” said Amber Lawrence, Southwest Region director for Komen Arkansas.

“We have served thousands of women with grant funds since 1998,” Lawrence said.

Agencies receiving money from the 2016 Race for the Cure include:

$3,000 to Little River Memorial Hospital’s Hope for Tomorrow Mammography Program.

$101,000 to CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System for its Breast and Cervical Care Outreach program.

$73,500 to the Wadley Regional Medical Center Auxiliary for its Take Charge—Broaden the Access to Screening program.

$10,000 to Genesis PrimeCareBreast Cancer Early Detection program.