Healthy Connections, Inc. Among $1 Million in Grants from Komen

Pink Friday T-Shirts Available for Purchase

[LITTLE ROCK, ARK] – The Arkansas Affiliate of Susan G. Komen handed out 21 grants totaling over $1 million to Arkansas organizations.

Healthy Connections Inc. in Polk County was once again one of the recipients and awarded a grant of $10,510 for its program entitled Connecting for a Cure. Mammogram vouchers will be distributed  to those who qualify during their event that kicks off the start of the grant with “Pink Friday” on May 2^nd from 4:30 pm-6:30 pm at Healthy Connections Inc.

This year marks the 20^th for the Komen organization to award grants to programs around the state who are working in the fight against breast cancer.  These funds are predominantly raised through the Race for the Cure® chaired in 2013 by Mike Gavigan.  Also introduced was the 2014 Race for the Cure ® chair, Ashley Hurst. A total of $1,006,737 was granted.

“We are delighted by the amount we were able to issue in grants this year,” said Arkansas Affiliate Executive Director Sherrye McBryde.  “It is directly due to the hard work of our volunteers and the generosity of our supporters.  The recipients of these funds were chosen because they reflect the commitment of the Arkansas Affiliate to assure the uninsured and under-served women of Arkansas get the vital breast health services they need.  Additionally, $340,000 has been used for breast cancer research to help find the cure.”

The Komen Arkansas Affiliate first awarded grants totaling $78,700 in 1994.  This year the largest grant totaled $113,290 and the smallest was $10,510.

“We are so pleased to be able to raise almost $1.6 million dollars that will have a direct impact on the women and men of Arkansas fighting breast cancer,” says Komen Arkansas Board Chair Leila Dockery.  “Whether they fight for someone they love, or fight for themselves, or for their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or children, we join them in their efforts to eradicate this disease. We worked hard to earn this money and we are so proud to distribute to such trustworthy, valuable, impactful programs. Our fight continues until a cure is found.”

Komen for the Cure was established as the Komen Foundation in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36.  Thanks to more than 75,000 volunteers dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, Komen for the Cure with its Affiliate Network is the world’s largest private funder of community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs.  Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and donors, Komen for the Cure has raised over one billion dollars for the fight against breast cancer.

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

See author's posts