To improve breast cancer services for the state’s uninsured population, the Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education (Georgia CORE) is awarding more than $675,000 to community organizations and the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) through the Georgia ACTS (Access, Care, Treatment and Services) Breast Cancer Grant Program. Georgia CORE will administer the grant program on behalf of the State Office of Rural Health, Department of Community Health.
Funded through the sale and renewal of the Breast Cancer License Tag, the Georgia ACTS Grant Program expands breast cancer education, screening, access, and outreach as well as treatment services to Georgians without health insurance. For each tag that is bought or renewed, $22 goes to fund these grants.
“While Georgia has been successful at increasing breast cancer screening rates, not all women – particularly those without health insurance – receive appropriate screening or treatment services,†said Angie Patterson, Vice President of Georgia CORE and a 15 year breast cancer survivor. “The work this grant money supports will help identify breast cancer at an early stage, thereby making treatment more effective.â€
Winning organizations are providing matching funds or in-kind support that equals or exceeds the amount of the grant.Awarded at centers throughout the state, the winning grants are:
Treatment Grants
Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion, St. Joseph’s/Candler Hospital(**)
Savannah
$100,000.00
Meadows Regional Medical Center(**)
Vidalia
$100,000.00
Education & Screening Grants
Boat People SOS, Inc.
Atlanta
$50,000.00
Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc. (CPACS)
Atlanta
$49,925.00
Northside Hospital
Atlanta
$49,887.91
St. Joseph’s Mercy Care Services
Atlanta
$49,967.00
Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate
Atlanta
$50,000.00
University Hospital System
Augusta
$50,000.00
West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition
Columbus
$50,000.00
YWCA of Atlanta
Atlanta
$50,000.00
Georgia Department of Public Health (BCCP)
$38,000.00
Georgia Genomic Testing Fund
$37,500.00
** Serving Counties with high-incidence of late stage breast cancer
A diverse and talented group of cancer experts helped review and rank the proposals including Karen Beard, CPC, CPCO, Georgia Society of Clinical Oncology (GASCO); Lanell Bellury, PhD, RN, AOCNS, OCN, Mercer University; Melissa Dillmon, MD, MSc, Harbin Clinic; Mia Gaudet, PhD, American Cancer Society; Cecilia Hammond, MSN, RN, Genomic Health; Erin Hernandez, Northwest Regional Georgia Cancer Coalition; Tamara Mason, MPH, CHES, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University and Grady Health System; Amy Mattingly, Pink Ribbon Story; Adrienne Mims, MD, MPH, FAAFP, AGSF, Alliant Quality; Amy Moore, PhD, Georgia Research Alliance; Winifred Thompson, PhD, MSW, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University and Grady Health System; and Amelia Zelnak, MD, MSc, Atlanta Cancer Care.
In addition, based on a prior review and grants, $38,000 is also awarded to the Georgia Department of Public Health Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP). $37,500 will be provided for the Genetic Counseling and Testing to complement the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Genomics program.
If you are interesting in purchasing a Breast Cancer License Tag, please visit the Georgia Department of Revenue web site.
