Race for the Cure® grants fund Hollings projects

A $7,500 grant will provide funds to educate North Charleston women about the importance of breast health and nutrition through a church-based program in collaboration with a New Life Assembly of God Church.

With a $5,000 grant from Race for the Cure®, HCCâs Dr. Rayna Kneuper Hall plans to create an education program for newly diagnosed HCC breast cancer patients and their families to help them carry on with their lives effectively even after a diagnosis of breast cancer.

The grants were part of $41,676 returned to South Carolina organizations and institutions promoting early detection and treatment of breast cancer through survivor support and outreach, particularly to medically underserved women.

The church-based education program hopes to reach up to 500 women in the North Charleston area, according to Dawn Barr Duggins, community programs coordinator, HCC. A significant number of women within the geographical location of the church are socioeconomically disadvantaged and medically underserved. The year-long project aims to teach these women how to perform breast self exams; the importance of nutrition and a low fat diet in the prevention of breast cancer; and the services that are available through the Best Chance Network. Ten trained volunteers from the New Life congregation will recruit and serve as catalysts in educating women within the community.

ăThrough this project, the church will impact upon the lives of a significant number of women,ä Duggins said. For more information call 792-0489.

The Komen Foundation is a national organization working through local chapters and Race for the Cure® events in 77 cities fighting to eradicate breast cancer as a life threatening disease by advancing research, education, screening and treatment.

Each year, 75 percent of proceeds from the Charleston race are allocated to organizations throughout South Carolina. The remaining 25 percent helps fund the Komen Foundationâs National Grant Program.

Other grant recipients are: MUSC College of Health Professions Graduate Education Program, $1,000; Roper Cancer Center, $5,000; Baptist Medical Center, $5,000; Palmetto Health District÷DHEC, $1,456; American Cancer Society, $2,285; YWCA of Greater Charleston, $5,000; McLeod Cancer Center, $5,000; and Gamma Nu Omega Chapter Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., $4,435.

The annual Charleston, SC Race for the Cure® will be held on Oct. 25 at Cannon Park. For more information, call (803) 792-9186, or check out the Charleston, SC Race for the Cure® web site at http://hcc.musc.edu/race4cure.