Griffin in Derby receives $64K grant for breast cancer outreach, education

DERBY - Susan G. Komen Connecticut recently awarded Griffin Hospital a grant of more than $64,000 to continue providing breast cancer outreach & education to women in the Naugatuck Valley.

This year, approximately 3,000 Connecticut women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The Komen award will support the Valley Breast Wellness Initiative and the breast health outreach efforts of the Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurse Program, which are vital in beating breast cancer locally.

“The mortality rates from breast cancer are high in several of our Naugatuck Valley towns,” said Daun Barrett, RN, director of the Griffin Hospital Community Outreach and Parish Nurse Program. “With the support and financial help from Susan G. Komen Connecticut we are able to reach out into the communities to educate women in breast health needs and to schedule a mammogram, regardless of their ability to pay. 

"Our goal is to reduce the mortality rate of women due to breast cancer and the only way to accomplish this is to educate on the need for regular breast exams and screenings. We want to reduce any barriers that stop women from receiving a regular mammogram, especially by connecting women who cannot afford a mammogram to funding. Early detection does save lives.”

The Valley Breast Wellness Initiative aims to provide screening mammograms to women in the Greater Valley area regardless of their ability to pay. 

The purpose of the Valley Breast Wellness Initiative is to offer outreach and education to all women, especially the uninsured or under-insured, about the importance of breast wellness and early detection.

This grant year, Komen Connecticut has invested more than $700,000 to support local breast health programs across the state. 

They fund innovative and effective community-based breast health programs based on priorities identified by the Community Profile of Breast Health in Connecticut, a comprehensive, local research study that identifies the varied breast health needs in local communities as well as the gaps in breast health services.

“Griffin Hospital will help us in our mission to reach the breast health needs of women in Connecticut,” said Anne Morris, CEO of Komen Connecticut. “Early detection is essential until a cure is discovered. The work of our grantees allows us to make a difference on a local level to help the women in our communities beat breast cancer.”

Connecticut has the highest incidence of breast cancer in the United States. Based on the Community Profile, Komen Connecticut’s priorities include strengthening and building the capacity of existing breast health providers, promoting the importance of screening and early detection and increasing screening resources available to underserved women.

Seventy-five percent of the funds raised remain in Connecticut, and are invested in local breast cancer education, screening and treatment programs across the state. 

The remaining 25 percent is invested in research to find the causes and cures for breast cancer. None of these funds support Komen National operations.

To learn more about Komen Connecticut’s work throughout Connecticut, visit KomenCT.org.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.