Susan G. Komen Orange County Announces 2019 Community Partners At Annual Breakfast

IRVINE, Calif. - Dec. 7, 2018 - PRLog -- More than 250 supporters and advocates gathered Friday at Hotel Irvine for the 2018 Susan G. Komen Orange County (http://www.komenoc.org/) Annual Breakfast, as the nonprofit proudly announced its 2019 community partners. Ten deserving Orange County organizations were recognized and awarded funding for their life-saving breast health programs, totaling more than $600,000.

This year's annual breakfast included a public welcome to Executive Director Megan Klink, who was named to the position in October.  Klink delivered stirring remarks that were as personal as they were passionate, reminding all in attendance that the fight to end breast cancer belongs to one and all.

The event also served as a fitting backdrop to bid a fond farewell to retiring Executive Director Lisa Wolter, who led the organization for the past 14 years.  Among a host of notable accomplishments, including recognition in 2014 as Komen Affiliate of the Year, Wolter oversaw annual grant funding to help support community initiatives that provide breast cancer education, screenings, diagnostic procedures and financial assistance for those in treatment.  In Orange County, grant funds are raised through Komen Orange County signature events like the annual Race for the Cure and Pink Tie Ball, in addition to individual donations. This year, $615,112 was awarded in total to the following nonprofit, community-based organizations:

• AltaMed Health Services
• Breast Cancer Solutions
• Korean Community Services
• Nhan Hoa Comprehensive Health Care Clinic
• Orange County Herald Center
• Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties
• Share Our Selves Corporation
• The Cambodian Family Community Center
• Vietnamese American Cancer Foundation
• YWCA of North Orange County

"As it is for so many of us, this work is deeply personal to me," said Klink, whose background in social work has made her keenly aware of the critical needs and lack of adequate resources facing Orange County's most vulnerable residents. "The fight against breast cancer must happen on many fronts, so Komen Orange County continues to invest in organizations like our 2019 community partners that provide access to care for all people, regardless of ethnicity, and work tirelessly to remove barriers to quality healthcare.  We are thankful for the efforts of our invaluable community partners – without whom we would not be able to continue the mission to one day live in a world free of breast cancer."

The substantial impact of Komen Orange County grants received by community partners is best illustrated by considering several salient facts from this year:

• 19,116 free clinical breast exams were provided to those who otherwise would not have received them.
• 8,884 uninsured and underserved women were provided with free mammograms.
• Breast cancer was detected in 40 women, who would otherwise may not have known about their cancer.
• 110 women were provided with financial assistance to finish their treatment.
• The affiliate's breast health educational events reached 29,574 people.

This year's Annual Breakfast also addressed challenges in the breast health care system, drawing findings from an in-depth analysis of different types of patient navigation services, focus groups and key informant interviews with nurse navigators and breast cancer survivors.  The study was led by Dr. Joshua Yang, an associate professor in the Department of Health Science at California State University, Fullerton. The findings identified several barriers to care, including transportation, limited resources and a lack of in-language support. Komen Orange County demonstrated its strong commitment to bridge the gaps in care with its community partners.

About Susan G. Komen® and Komen Orange County

Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease.  Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026.  Komen was founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life.  Komen Orange County is working to better the lives of those that face breast cancer in the local community.  Through events like the Komen Orange County Race for the Cure®, Komen Orange County has invested more than $40 million in community breast health programs and has helped contribute to the more than $920 million invested globally in research.  For more information, call 714-957-9157 or visit komenoc.org.