Grant will address disparities in breast cancer mortality in diverse communities, by providing access to breast cancer screening and treatment
Eagan, Minn. (July 12, 2018) – The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the Minnesota Vikings have awarded a grant to Neighborhood HealthSource to address disparities in breast cancer mortality by providing access to breast cancer screening, follow-up of abnormal mammograms, and timely access to specialty care if needed. The grant funding was made possible through ACS's partnership with the NFL and the league's Crucial Catch campaign.
The grants are the latest in ACS's Community Health Advocates Implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program, which provides funding opportunities as part of the ACS's commitment to reduce disparities in cancer mortality. Neighborhood HealthSource will receive a $100,000 over two years. The grants are focused primarily on African American communities, but also target other underserved populations.
Breast cancer mortality has steadily declined over the last four decades, largely due to improvements in early detection and treatment. However, not all women have benefited equally from this progress. A faster drop among white women has widened the mortality gap between white and black women. Despite similar rates of disease and screening rates, breast cancer death rates in 2015 were 39 percent higher for black women than white women in the nation as a whole and up to 60 percent higher in some states. Access to timely follow-up and high-quality treatment are key drivers of these disparities, especially in underserved communities. Differences in stage of cancer diagnosis, tumor characteristics, obesity, and other comorbidities are also contributing factors.
"The American Cancer Society is proud to partner with the NFL and Minnesota Vikings by attacking cancer from every angle through the "Crucial Catch" campaign," says Keely Couillard, American Cancer Society North Region corporate relations. "The real beauty of it all is the fact that all of this continues to make a difference in our fight to end breast cancer once and for all. People are living longer after a diagnosis. Treatments are getting better. Detection is improving. But we still have a long way to go, which is why this partnership is so impactful."
"It is crucial to focus these funds on providing access to breast cancer screening and treatment in diverse communities, where they are needed the most," says Lester Bagley, Minnesota Vikings Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. "This grant is a great example of the significant impact the NFL platform can have on our community."
The American Cancer Society is committed to saving lives and addressing the unequal burden for cancer.
Since 2009, the NFL's Crucial Catch has raised more than $18 million in support of ACS. Funding raised since 2012 has supported ACS's CHANGE program and has been invested in underserved communities to increase cancer education and awareness and promote life-saving screening tests. To date, health system grantees have reached more than 632,000 individuals with education, patient reminders and navigation to screening, and contributed to 138,000 breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings. These new grants will improve timely access to follow up care along with a continued focus on access to high-quality breast cancer screening for underserved women.
About The American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 1.5 million volunteers dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer. From breakthrough research, to free lodging near treatment, a 24/7/365 live helpline, free rides to treatment, and convening powerful activists to create awareness and impact, the Society is attacking cancer from every angle. For more information go to www.cancer.org
About Crucial Catch
The NFL, its clubs, the NFL Players Association and the American Cancer Society are committed to the fight against cancer. Crucial Catch expands the impact of the NFL's work around breast cancer to address multiple types of cancer through prevention, early detection, and timely access to follow-up care as needed. Since 2009, the first year of the NFL's Crucial Catch campaign, the league's work has raised more than $18 million for the American Cancer Society. Money raised through Crucial Catch supports the American Society's Community Health Advocates implementing Nationwide Grants for Empowerment and Equity (CHANGE) program, which promotes health equity and addresses cancer-related disparities. Visit nfl.com/crucialcatch to learn more and get involved.
About Neighborhood HealthSource
Neighborhood HealthSource is a non-profit, multi-location, full service primary care clinic organized as a Federally Qualified Health Center. The clinics are staffed by highly skilled Doctors, Certified Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Certified Nurse-Midwives and Registered Nurses. The family physicians complete specialty training and are board certified. The Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives complete advanced training and are certified in primary health care. They offer a full spectrum of health maintenance, screening, disease prevention and health management services for all ages. For more information go to neighborhoodhealthsource.org
