Susan G. Komen® Central Indiana is investing $128,284 in support of Eskenazi Health’s EMBRACE Patient Navigation program during its 2019-2020 grant cycle, which began in April.
Eskenazi Health will use Komen Central Indiana grant dollars to provide wraparound and interpretation services to patients seeking prevention and early detection of breast cancer, and to those fighting breast cancer.
“Once a breast cancer diagnosis has been confirmed, the amount of information given to a patient is both overwhelming and frightening. A strong support network is so important and that is where Eskenazi Health EMBRACE comes in,” said DeAnna Wesley, MSW, LSW, director of the EMBRACE program. “We work to ease the burden of the fight against cancer for the women whose lives are touched by this dreaded disease. The support of Komen Central Indiana allows us to make sure no one faces breast cancer alone.”
Through the EMBRACE program, women in need of initial screenings and newly diagnosed breast cancer patients are navigated to resources and provided encouragement, education and support, regardless of their ability to pay.
With support from Komen Central Indiana and help from patient navigators, the EMBRACE program reduces barriers that may prevent education, regular screening and early detection, or hinder the continuum of care. The program also counsels patients on the importance of regular mammograms, increases access to diagnostic and treatment services by providing a full range of wraparound services, provides nutritional services to patients in active cancer treatment and provides diagnostic services to women in emergent situations that require financial assistance.
“Komen would not be able to provide these grant funds without the generous support of donors and those who are ‘more than pink’ in their fundraising efforts across central Indiana,” said Carla Borden, executive director, Komen Central Indiana. “The funds raised not only from Race for the Cure, but from the year-round fundraising efforts in central Indiana make it possible for those in need to receive services such as mammograms, screening, education, patient navigation – all of these activities help save lives daily.”
Eskenazi Health was one of five community agencies selected by an independent review panel to partner with Komen Central Indiana in the upcoming grant cycle.
Eskenazi Health’s EMBRACE program serves residents of Marion County.
Since 1992, Komen Central Indiana has invested more than $20 million in Community Impact Grants, providing leadership and direction within the community to meet the most crucial needs and save lives.
The 2018-2019 Komen Central Indiana community grants reached over 40,000 Hoosiers, provided over 20,000 services and diagnosed over 100 people with breast cancer, allowing them to access lifesaving breast health services.
