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ACCESS to join fight against breast cancer at Race for the Cure Detroit
Caption: Hiam Hamade, front right, cancer program manager of ACCESS’ Community Health and Research Center, rejoices at the annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Detroit. (Photo courtesy of ACCESS)
The ACCESS team will be joining once again in the fight against breast cancer at the 24th Annual Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Detroit on May 16, 2015, at Chene Park.
The Breast Cancer Outreach Program at ACCESS’ CommunityHealth and Research Center has been a proud recipient of the Susan G. Komen Detroit Race for the Cure® grant for more than a decade. Last year, Komen awarded ACCESS a $63,823 grant to help continue in a mission both organizations share: to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early breast cancer detection and winning the war against breast cancer. ACCESS is able to step in and provide free screenings and mammograms to those in the community who need them most.
“We are very grateful for the support Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure has shown us over the years and continues to show,” said Hiam Hamade, cancer program manager of ACCESS’ Community Health and Research Center. “We are proud to partner with an organization that is assisting us in saving hundreds of lives every year through education and outreach programs which have been proven to be the most effective way to increase the knowledge and awareness among Arab American women in teaching them the warning signs for breast cancer. ACCESS is increasing the utilization of prevention and screening services by bridging the gap between cultural needs and norms, and local area health services.”
With the help of this grant, the Breast Cancer Outreach Program at ACCESS serves women over 40 years of age who live in metro Detroit. When necessary, ACCESS helps facilitate the appropriate follow-up for clients whether it is a referral for a low-cost or free mammogram or clinical breast exams in their own communities. The program dynamically:
¨ breaks down the educational, logistical and financial barriers that prevent many women from obtaining breast/cervical cancer early detection services
¨ increases community awareness about breast cancer
¨ promotes early detection and encourages women to follow an early detection program through outreach activities
¨ focuses on the cultural and language needs of Arab American women
¨ expanded the program to the ACCESS Sterling Heights Center
“We are proud to support the excellent work being done at ACCESS,” said Maureen Keenan Meldrum, Komen Detroit Race chair. “Despite great progress in the battle to end this disease, we cannot rest until every woman – regardless of where she lives, how much money she has, or the color of her skin – has access to early detection and quality care for breast cancer.”
Since 1982, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Series has funded community-based breast health programs across the U.S., including grants supporting the Breast Cancer Outreach Program at ACCESS since 2000. These programs are dedicated to educating underserved women about breast cancer and linking them with early detection screening services.
All are welcome to join the ACCESS Team for the Cure at Race for the Cure Detroit. Visit www.karmanoscancer.org/komendetroit to register as an individual and join ACCESS on race day.
About ACCESS
Grounded in a grassroots commitment to serving our community, ACCESS has a 44-year history of providing health, education, employment and social services. An Arab American nonprofit of excellence, ACCESS empowers residents of metro Detroit to lead healthy, informed and productive lives and extends this mission nationally through advocacy, arts, culture and philanthropy.