Current Grant Recipients

These projects have been selected by our independent Grant Review Panel as those that will have the greatest impact in serving uninsured or underinsured women in our service area. Please note that Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is not a direct service provider.

Blount Memorial Foundation

Project: Supporting Survival – Partnering for Prevention, Intervention, Needs & Knowledge (P.I.N.K.)

“Supporting Survival” is a breast health screening, diagnostic and treatment support program intended to reach high-risk populations with potentially life-saving mammography. The program will offer financial assistance to breast cancer patients who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, experiencing a recurrence or in the advanced stages of cancer. Key activities will include providing free or low-cost mammograms to women with a focused emphasis on minority women, women with minimal financial resources and those with inadequate accessibility to breast health services.

Cathy L. Hodges Memorial Cancer Foundation

Project: Helping with Life's Necessities

The Cathy L. Hodges Memorial Cancer Foundation was formed in 1995 with donations received from friends, relatives and acquaintances in memory of Cathy Hodges, whose courageous battle with breast cancer lasted more than eight years.  During that time, she and her family encountered many other cancer patients whose battle for life included financial deficiencies making it difficult to meet their basic needs. It was her desire to have this Foundation established to help those in need. This grant assists breast cancer patients with assistance for food, clothing, housing, transportation, utilities, etc.

Celebrate Life Cancer Support Group

Project: Celebrate Life Enriching and Renewing (C.L.E.A.R)

“Project C.L.E.A.R.” (Celebrate Life Enriching and Renewing) reaches out to rural patients with assistance during their lowest point in battling breast cancer. Women are encouraged to share with other cancer patients during monthly group meetings. Project C.L.E.A.R. also provides direct financial aid to patients in need of support when treatment expenses cause financial hardship in day-to-day living. 

Dayspring Family Health Center

Project: Breast Health Outreach Program

The Dayspring Family Health Center in Jellico, TN is a not-for-profit rural community health center that is founded on the belief that everyone should have access to affordable quality health care. Dayspring’s Breast Health Outreach Program, in collaboration with Jellico Community Hospital, provides breast health awareness and mammography screening to uninsured/underinsured women in Campbell County and surrounding areas.

Rural Medical Services, Inc.

Project: Bilingual Breast Health Education, Outreach & Screening in Five East TN Counties

Rural Medical Services, Inc. will provide breast cancer screening, bilingual breast health education and outreach services to low-income, uninsured women of all races and ethnicities in Cocke, Jefferson, and Grainger counties, and the Hispanic populations of Hamblen and Sevier counties.  These services will include financial assistance for screening mammograms for uninsured women between the ages of 40 and 49, as well as transportation and translation for diagnostic testing and treatment as needed. 

Tennessee Department of Health-Breast and Cervical Screening Program

Project: The Breast Screening and Treatment for Tennessee Women Project

The Breast Screening and Treatment for Tennessee Women Project targets uninsured and underinsured women in the Knoxville Affiliate service area for breast cancer screening and diagnostic testing, if necessary.  Eligibility and clinical breast exams are completed at the county health department and women are referred out to area providers for mammograms and other diagnostics.  The goals of the project are to reach and serve at least 475 women by improving access, explaining procedures and providing case management as necessary. If applicable, women diagnosed with breast cancer are immediately enrolled in TennCare for treatment.

Thompson Cancer Survival Center

Project: Serving Those Placed In Our Path

At the heart of Serving Those Placed in Our Path program is providing financial assistance to breast cancer patients through the “Hands of Hope Fund” to help alleviate financial burdens during treatment. This program will also reach thousands of African-American women through an awareness and educational effort called Pink Ribbon Sunday that celebrates survivors and gives a call to action for early detection.  For high-risk patients, genetic counseling and testing are also a component of this program.

University of Tennessee Medical Center, Cancer Institute

Project: UT Breast Health Outreach Program (BHOP)

The UT Cancer Institute Breast Health Outreach Program is a comprehensive program focused on improving access while reducing barriers to digital screening mammograms, clinical breast exams, and diagnostic testing. The grassroots effort strives to change the breast health behaviors of rural, medically underserved Appalachian, and minority women.  The UT BHOP has expanded its efforts to reach all underserved women in the Knoxville Affiliate 16-county service area through the increased availability of screening mammograms and the enhancement of personalized education programs.

University of Tennessee Medical Center, Cancer Institute

Project: HOPE for Survivors

HOPE for Survivors will focus on strategies to assist breast cancer survivors with financial, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs during and after the treatment process. Through comprehensive support networks and educational programs, this project will address the unique needs of African American breast cancer survivors and young breast cancer survivors empowering them to be breast health ambassadors in the community. This program will also provide financial assistance to breast cancer survivors in the 16-county service area through their resource fund.