Where Registration & Fundraising Money Goes

For many in Central Indiana, Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is top of mind for just a few days in April. However, once the 42,000 Race participants have gone home, the tents are down, and the trash has been picked up, few realize that the Komen Central Indiana Affiliate is just getting started.

In 2010, more than $2.5 million was raised by Race participants and sponsors. The funds raised during the Race has a year-round impact and is vital to fulfilling Komen’s mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

“Everyone associates Komen with Race for the Cure®, but many are surprised to find out that the Race is only the beginning,” said Dana Curish, Executive Director of the Central Indiana Affiliate.

A grant-awarding organization: 75% stays local

Komen does not provide direct services. Rather, it raises funds to provide grants to breast health programs in its 21-county service area. “Many of these organizations rely on Komen as their primary source of funding,” said Curish.”Without Komen grant funds, many of these organizations would be unable to provide life-saving breast health services and education to Hoosiers.”

Komen Central Indiana solicits grant applications from non-profit organizations in Central Indiana – applications from local agencies that provide breast health education, screening services (including mammograms), treatment assistance, patient navigation and survivor support services.

“Every year we receive 30 to 40 applications, all worthy of funding, but totaling much more than we are able to fund,” said Wendy Noe, grant and education coordinator for the local affiliate. “The reality is we have a large gap between the need for funding and the amount we are able to award.”

This year, more than $1.5 million in grant requests will go unfulfilled because of a lack of available funding.

To determine which organizations receive grants (view 2011 grant grantees), Komen Central Indiana utilizes its biannual local community needs assessment and a team of skilled reviewers to carefully evaluate each grant application to select a final slate for funding.  This committee of volunteers ensures that funds raised are put to the best possible use. Once the grants are awarded, Komen staff works to ensure that dollars are spent wisely by visiting each grantee at least once a year to evaluate program effectiveness.

Many critical breast cancer programs depend on Komen dollars to continue to exist. “Every year, Little Red Door Cancer Agency offers a door of hope to hundreds of women and men in need of critical breast cancer screening, diagnostic, and support services.  Without our support from the Central Indiana Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, that door would be closed to many of our underserved friends and neighbors in Central Indiana,” said Fred Duncan, Executive Director.

Researching the Cures: 25% goes to global research

While 75% of funds stay local to fund breast health programs, 25% goes to the national grants research program. Since being established in 1982, Komen National has invested more than $1.5 billion in finding the cures for breast cancer. Some of this research is actually being done here in Indiana by Indiana University and Purdue University. Find out more about Komen-funded research that’s being done worldwide.

Education programs raise awareness

Komen staff and volunteers work year round identifying opportunities to reach out to the community with the message of early detection.  Komen conducts educational sessions in workplaces, attends local health fairs, and hosts educational symposiums for survivors and medical providers.

Programs such as The Circle of Promise, an outreach program targeting African American women who are at a much higher risk of dying from breast cancer, are making a significant impact in the community.

Annually, Komen brings together local breast cancer researchers and advocates for the Amelia Project to learn the latest research findings, share information and find ways to better collaborate all in an effort to speed research into finding a cure.  The Amelia Project was the birthplace of the Komen Tissue Bank at IU Simon Cancer Center, the world’s largest bank of healthy tissue that is now used by research scientists around the globe.

Survivors, volunteers & donors

Komen Central Indiana also works hard throughout the year to celebrate survivors, honor volunteers and thank our many donors and fund raisers.  The annual Pink Honor Roll Celebration honors the top 100 Race fundraisers for their hard work while the annual Circle of Hope celebration in December will recognize and honor volunteers.

The Pink Ribbon Celebration on Sunday, September 25th 2011, will bring together nearly 1,000 breast cancer survivors and their friends and family to enjoy shopping, a gourmet luncheon and inspiring keynote speaker.

Raising funds beyond the Race

While the Race is obviously Komen’s largest fundraising event, it is not the only event.  The annual Pink Tie Ball is Komen’s second largest fundraising event.  This gala evening brings together 500 guests to enjoy cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and dancing to raise money for the fight against breast cancer.

Komen is also extremely fortunate to work with hundreds of individuals, companies and schools who generously choose to host an event or sell their products to benefit the organization.  There are golf outings, bowling events, high school and college sporting events, spa days, jewelry sales, Cook for the Cure events, Passionately Pink for the Cure events, Yoplait Lids for a Cure – the list goes on and on.  Combined, these events raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to fight breast cancer (learn how to host your own event).

You can make an impact

With a small staff of five, Komen relies almost completely on volunteers and supporters to fulfill their mission. There are year-round opportunities to be involved in Komen. Share your time and talents volunteering to work in the office, helping at an event, hosting your own event or attending a Komen event.

Komen Central Indiana continues its efforts to raise more funds and to increase its overall grant program. Donations are accepted in a variety of ways, including as gifts in honor of a survivor, gifts in memory of someone who has lost their battle and direct donations. Make a donation today and make an impact – together we can end breast cancer forever.