YWCA North Orange County Receives
$287,000 Grant Support for Breast Cancer Outreach

Fullerton, CA, April 2010 – The YWCA North Orange County has received $255,500 to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer and access to care by coordinating mammograms, clinical breast exams and breast-self-exam education for uninsured or underinsured, multicultural women 40 years and older. The Avon Breast Care Fund awarded $85,000; Susan G. Komen for the Cure-Orange County Affiliate awarded $90,000, the Pacific Life Foundation awarded $7,500, the Orange County Community Foundation Margaret E. Oser Grant awarded $15,000, and the United Way of Orange County awarded $58,000 to support the work of the YWCA North Orange County on this important health issue and in recognition of the excellence of the program.

The breast health program ENCOREplus Early Breast Cancer Screening and Education Program is offered throughout Orange County at over 150 screenings in local neighborhoods, churches, temples, clinics, breast cancer, community and senior centers. This year we will reach more than 5,000 multicultural, linguistically isolated and uninsured women who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the medical care system. The YWCA North Orange County will also hold breast cancer awareness and breast self exam education workshops with small or large gatherings at churches, community centers, and workplace or in home settings.

Since January of 1995, the ENCOREplus Early Breast Cancer Screening and Education Program throughout Orange County has reached more than 50,000 uninsured women with early detection breast health modalities including mammograms, clinical breast exams and breast self exam education. We have reached over 100,000 women with information about the importance of early detection of breast cancer through information and referrals, participating in health fairs, ethnic fairs, seminars and workshops.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women in the U.S., and the leading single cause of death overall in women between the ages of 40 and 55. According to the American Cancer Society, one in seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Orange County. Nationwide, there is a new diagnosis every three minutes and a death of breast cancer every fourteen minutes.

While advances have been made in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure, early detection still affords the best opportunity for successful treatment. Programs such as ENCOREplus Early Breast Cancer Screening and Education help ensure that all women have access to early detection information, screening and medical treatment, even poor and medically underserved or uninsured women.

“We are proud that the Avon Foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Pacific Life Foundation, Margaret E. Oser Grant, and the United Way of Orange County shares our passion for helping uninsured, multicultural women receive early detection breast health such as mammograms, clinical breast exams and breast self exam education. With these funds we will be able to reach 5,000 uninsured women with needed mammograms, clinical breast exams, and breast self exam education in their own languages and in their own neighborhoods. No woman should feel denied of breast cancer early detection because they do not have health insurance or hesitant to seek care because of cultural barriers.” said Masseth-Jones, Executive Director, YWCA North Orange County.

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