Grantee Abstracts 2012/2013
Cancer Alliance of Naples-
$41,084
CAN’s mission is to make the lives of families and individuals who are touched by cancer easier, on an
as-needed financial basis, by relieving their stress so they can concentrate on the best possible outcome
of their cancer treatment. CAN pays rent and mortgage payments; power, water, and phone utilities;
food and gas cards; car repairs and other non-medical bills freeing up family income to pay for medical
treatment. Bi-lingual education for breast cancer patients and their families is provided. CAN serves all
of Collier County, Bonita Springs and Estero.
Collier Health Services- $$59,464
CHS was founded for the purpose of improving the health of migrant farm workers, rural poor, and
other citizens of Collier County. It is committed to providing a comprehensive system of quality
healthcare services, which are easily accessed by all persons and families through an efficient,
community-based network of caring professionals who assure the dignity and respect of each individual
serves. This project is to break down breast cancer barriers by funding breast care education,
transportation, screening and diagnostic procedures for predominately uninsured/underinsured, low
income, rurally located minority women and men for who no other funding is available.
Family Health Centers- $106,132
FHC’s mission is to provide high quality health care services accessible to all people. FHC currently cares
for the underserved, homeless and migrant farm worker families of all Lee and Charlotte Counties, as
well as the western portion of Hendry County. The Jessie Trice Breast Cancer Prevention Project
provides risk assessment, screening and diagnostic services aimed at early detection of breast cancer in
women from low-income, African-American and Hispanic communities in order to reduce the rates of
illness and death for these patient populations. The key is penetrating these underserved communities
via face-to-face outreach efforts utilizing partnerships with local churches.
Lee County Volunteers in Medicine- $16,883
The mission of LCVIM is to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of the medically
uninsured and underserved population living in Lee County. This grant will establish a breast cancer
education program in the free clinic located in Lehigh Acres. The program will focus on serving the
needs of women located in the 33936 zip code with an emphasis on Hispanic/Latina women. In order to
qualify, individuals must live in Lee County, be uninsured, and must have a family income equal or less
than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Lee Memorial Health System- $143,035
LMHS’s mission is to continue to meet the healthcare needs and improve the health status of the people
of Southwest Florida by providing quality primary, secondary, and selected tertiary healthcare services
in a personalized, convenient and cost-effective manner. The Komen Breast CARE (Cancer Assistance
Resource Expansion) Program will provide uninsured/underinsured low income Lee, Hendry, and Glades
county residents diagnosed with breast cancer with access to diagnostic and staging procedures,
treatment, genetic screening, psychosocial support, education and navigation. A Breast Health
Navigator, working collaboratively with other organizations and physicians, will identify those in need
and work to remove barriers to care. Collaboration with other programs allows the Komen Breast CARE
Program to prevent service duplication, thereby freeing up and saving scarce healthcare and grant
dollars. The program ensures seamless continuity of care for patients who otherwise would not seek
nor have the means to secure lifesaving medical treatment.
LIGHT of Southwest Florida- $21,456
The purpose of LIGHT is to remove financial obstacles for the under-insured to provide assistance for the
continuum of care. We pay COBRA and insurance premiums to ensure patients do not lose insurance
coverage during periods of catastrophic illness. LIGHT pays co-pays, co-insurance, and costs related to
medications that the patient cannot afford. Too many breast cancer patients must discontinue
treatment due to financial costs, even with health insurance. The purpose of LIGHT is to assist these
patients with the burden of their out-of-pocket costs and ensure a continuum of care. LIGHT pays for
co-pays, co-insurance, and medication directly related to treatment. With the present economic
conditions, LIGHT has encountered a large increase in applications to help with COBRA costs and
insurance premiums. No money goes directly to the patients; LIGHT works with the treating facilities,
pharmacies, and insurance carriers to pay the patient’s costs so treatment is not interrupted due to
financial considerations.
Lymphedema Resources- $39,826
Lymphedema Resources mission as a community-based volunteer organization is to raise awareness of
the potential for development of lymphedema, to assure availability of the resources for treatment and
to eliminate barriers for those with lymphedema. The vision is to prevent lymphedema as a significant
health problem through education, action and advocacy. Lymphedema Resources, Inc. will fund a
program of education, treatment and survivorship for uninsured/underinsured breast cancer survivors
at risk of developing lymphedema and those already coping with this affliction in southwest Florida.
Financial assistance for physician-prescribed lymphedema therapy and compression garments is
provided to qualified clients at no charge. Survivorship programs provide participants with a renewed
sense of energy and ability to cope with life after treatment while providing lymphedema education.
NCH Healthcare - $54,884
NCH offers comprehensive cancer care to all citizens of Collier County. The program consists of
inpatient oncology, outpatient oncology, and a breast health navigator. The BHN offers breast health
education; community resource education; compassionate support; assistance with the health care
journey; national clinical trials and a board certified oncology pharmacist. The purpose of the NCH
Breast Health Care Program is to promote awareness about breast cancer. The program has three goals:
1. Remove barriers that women face in accessing screening; 2.Guide uninsured/underserved Hispanic
population through the treatment services in a complex healthcare system; 3. Develop a breast cancer
survivorship program that will implement a personal plan to ensure a comprehensive and coordinated
approach to cancer after treatment ends.
Neighborhood Health Clinic- $59,974
The primary mission of the Neighborhood Health Clinic (Clinic) is to provide health care for the working,
low income, uninsured adults of Collier County, using a volunteer professional staff and funded by
private philanthropy. The Clinic’s motto is “to provide hope and healing to working uninsured Collier
County adults.” The Breast Health Program’s goal is to provide breast health to all female Clinic patients.
All women are given the opportunity to participate in self breast exam instruction, including multilingual
DVD viewing. As needed they receive: a clinical breast examination by a physician; screening
mammograms; diagnostic testing, staging procedures; treatment (surgery, chemotherapy/and/or
radiation) and follow-up care.
Partners for Breast Cancer Care- $137,830
Partners for Breast Cancer Care, Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Lee County, Florida. The
mission is to save lives and reduce suffering from breast cancer through improved early detection,
education and access to health care. The focus is to save lives in Lee County through early detection and
to fund breast care procedures such as screening, diagnostic testing, surgery and treatment for
underserved Lee County women and men at no charge to them. Services include scheduling of
procedures and follow up care through case management.
Senior Friendship Centers of Lee County- $12,840
Senior Friendship Centers provide a continuum of care for several generations of elders, their families
and their communities. The Health & Wellness Program utilizes retired volunteer health care
professionals keeping them connected to medicine and providing care to low income elders. “Cancer
Doesn’t Wait” will assist uninsured Lee County women age 50-64 in getting baseline and annual
mammograms, targeting high need areas in zip codes 33916, 33903, 33917 and 33956. Women with
low-income cannot afford medical services which keeps them from taking care of their health. The
program activities include physical exams, clinical breast examinations, individual education,
mammogram scheduling, help with transportation if necessary and follow-up.
Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic- $131,578
The Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic (VBA) provides free episodic medical and pharmacy
services to Charlotte County’s uninsured population living at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The
purpose of the Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic (VBA) Breast Health Partnership is to
reach, improve, and save the lives of underserved women (and men) in Charlotte County and instill in
every patient a life-long commitment to breast heath self -care through education and support.
Activities include mammogram screenings, diagnostics when warranted, self-exam instruction, robust
community outreach, support group referrals, and actively engaging medical provider partners to
realized cost-free surgeries for a significant number of acute cases