Funding Priorities

A minimum of 25 percent of the net income from each domestic Affiliate Race supports the national Komen for the Cure Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, meritorious awards and educational and scientific conferences around the world.

Up to 75 percent of the net income from each domestic Affiliate Race stays in the local community to fund breast health education, breast cancer screening and treatment projects.

Funding Priorities

Based on the support of the demographic and statistical evidence as well as valuable information relayed in the survey, the Northern Indiana Affiliate’s Priorities for the next three years are as follows:

·         Increase resources for screening and diagnostic services for all women

·         Increase education/awareness for all women

·         Address post-treatment long-term survivor issues

1.  Increase resources for screening and diagnostic services for all women:  Only 40% of Indiana women are receiving mammograms. The results of the data collected were somewhat surprising.  Where as, it was assumed that African American and Hispanic women would have limited access to breast diagnostic services, the data indicated that the  number of Caucasian women who were medically underserved had increased dramatically from the previous Community Profile data collection.  Several factors have caused this.  The unemployment rate remains high in northern Indiana. Commercial insurance providers are increasing premium costs in anticipation of Health Care Reform in 2014.  Therefore, major employers have increased health insurance premium costs to the employees causing many to drop coverage.  The Healthy Indiana Plan, which was developed to assist the uninsured in Indiana, has reached maximum capacity and is no longer accepting applicants without minor children.

Another issue that was repeated across the affiliate area was breast health services for women under 40 years of age.  The Indiana Breast and Cervical Cancer Program is only for women 40 to Medicare age.  There are no government programs, other than Medicaid, that offer assistance to younger women.  These factors contributed to the CP committee’s decision that all medically underserved women regardless of age or ethnicity should have access to breast health services.

2. Increase education/awareness for all women:  According to the Indiana Cancer Consortium report, the number one reason why women are not getting annual screening or clinical breast exams is that they do not see it as a priority.  Additionally, the results from our key informant surveys show that women do not know that there are free diagnostic services available to them; they do not understand the need for a mammogram; they are not aware of reduced fee clinics; and/or they fear the results.   It was also noted that some health care providers and social service agencies are not aware of what services are available for women. 

The CP committee recommends a two fold approach to increase awareness programs--one that is targeting women and is culturally sensitive and one that targets health care professionals to make them aware of services for medically underserved women.

3.  Long term survivor issues: Physicians and survivors made us aware that women who have completed their treatment protocol have long term issues that are not address by the medical profession or social service agencies.   Physical changes, lifestyle concerns, and quality of life issues are not part of the medical model of treating cancer.  Survivors and their caregivers are asking for comprehensive follow-up care, symptom management, spiritual and emotional support. They need more information about adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyles, as well as what constitutes optimal care.