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 Indianapolis Affiliate is just getting started.
More than $2.5 million was raised by 2010 Race participants and sponsors. The money 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 Indianapolis Affiliate.
A grant-awarding organization
Komen does not provide direct services to individual breast cancer survivors. Funds raised by the organization throughout the year support a wide variety of central Indiana organizations through Komen’s grant program. “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 Indianapolis solicits grant applications from non-profit organizations in all 21 counties in central Indiana that the Affiliate serves – applications from local agencies that provide breast health education, early screening and detection services including mammograms, patient navigator and survivor support services.
“Every year we receive 30-40 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 2010 grant awardees) Komen Indianapolis utilizes skilled reviewers to carefully evaluate each grant application and 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 Indianapolis Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, that door would be closed to many of our under-served friends and neighbors in central Indiana,” said Fred Duncan, Executive Director.
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.
Program 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 – scheduled next year for February 26, 2011 – 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 Indianapolis 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, September 9, 2010, will honor top Race fund raisers for their hard work while the annual Circle of Hope celebration in December will recognize and honor volunteers.
The Pink Ribbon Celebration, September 26, 2010, 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 fund raising event, it is not the only event. The annual Pink Tie Ball is Komen’s second largest fund raising event. 
This gala evening brings together 400 guests to enjoy cocktails, a silent auction, dinner and dancing to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. The next event is February 19, 2011.
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 5, 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 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.