Nash Health Care’s Twin Counties Breast Cancer Initiative was one of 19 programs that received funding from the Komen N.C. Triangle Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

The initiative will use the money to help those local under-insured, uninsured and low income residents gain access to breast cancer screenings.

“We are truly excited about receiving this grant,” said Nash Breast Health Navigator Penny Hearn, RN, FNP/WHNP. “It will have a tremendous positive impact on our community, and it will provide needed mammograms, breast biopsies, risk assessment and breast health education for women in our community.”

Women who need a mammogram between the age of 40-50, have no medical insurance or are underinsured (insurance does not cover screening mammogram or breast health) live in Edgecombe or Nash counties are encouraged to call their local health department or Nash Breast Care Center at 252-962-6101 to determine their eligibility for BCCCP or Komen Grant coverage.

The money will pay for breast health services through breast cancer education, screening, treatment support services, post-diagnostic care, genetic testing for high risk women, angel funds, exercise therapy and support groups for women and men who are uninsured or underinsured in the community.

Through community support of programs like Komen N.C. Triangle Race for the Cure, Pinkfest and third party events, the N.C. Triangle Affiliate has awarded more than $13 million to local community programs since its inception in 1997. Komen N.C. Triangle remains committed to creating a local impact by dedicating 75 percent of the affiliate’s net income to fund local programs like the 19 that are being awarded this year.

These community health programs will use their funding to help local uninsured, under-insured, low-income, and underserved women and men gain access to breast cancer screening, bilingual breast-health education materials, survivorship support, and other ancillary support services. Services provided will address the existing gaps in breast healthcare, as identified through the Affiliate’s breast health community assessment, done every two years.

Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, and the Komen N.C. Triangle Affiliate is one of 125 Affiliates on the front lines dedicated to ending breast cancer in their communities. Komen Affiliates fund innovative programs that help women and men overcome the cultural, social, educational, and financial barriers to breast cancer screening and treatment.

About Nash Health Care

Nash Health Care is a nonprofit hospital authority comprised of five licensed hospitals totaling 403 beds: Nash General Hospital, Nash Day Hospital, the Bryant T. Aldridge Rehabilitation Center, Community Hospital and Coastal Plain Hospital.

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Komen NC Triangle Affiliate

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever, and in 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The NC Triangle Affiliate is part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Affiliate stay in the Komen NC Triangle service area. The remaining 25 percent funds national breast cancer research. For more information, call 919-493-2873 or visit www.komennctriangle.org.