NEW: Amgen Foundation Awards Gemma Foundation $25K
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
Amgen Foundation's grant will support the Gemma Foundation's breast cancer outreach in RI.
“I am pleased that the Amgen Foundation is providing its support to The Gloria Gemma Foundation and its important programs for women in Rhode Island,” said Tony Pankau, Vice President of Amgen’s Rhode Island Operations. “A key element of the Foundation’s mission is to increase the quality of care for our community’s residents; particularly for those individuals who are unable to access suitable care due to health care disparities or inequalities. The Gloria Gemma Foundation’s Hope Bus helps fill that disparity, offering underserved women the support and education that proves so vital in breast cancer prevention and survival.”
Gemma Foundation's Hope Bus
The Gloria Gemma Foundation has reached over 120,000 individuals each year through its programs and events, making the organization a household name in the fight against breast cancer in Rhode Island. The special outreach program using the Hope Bus was designed to eliminate barriers to critical breast health services and information among socio-economically marginalized individuals.
The Hope Bus travels to hospitals, community centers, senior centers, businesses, and cultural events throughout the state. It provides Rhode Islanders with access to critical breast health education, support services, and the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Women’s Cancer Screening Program.
Amgen's contribution
"We are grateful to have the Amgen Foundation’s support for our campaign to serve Rhode Islanders affected by breast cancer," said Maria Gemma, executive director of The Gloria Gemma Foundation. "This generous contribution enables us to fully mobilize our mobile campaign and maximize our reach to those who are unable to access care."
While providing access to all Rhode Islanders is a priority of the Hope Bus outreach program, the Amgen Foundation grant will enable The Gloria Gemma Foundation to increase its emphasis on low-income individuals, minorities, and the un- and underinsured.
A report prepared last year by the Rhode Island Cancer Registry for The Gloria Gemma Foundation demonstrated the need for such a campaign. The report indicates alarming trends in Rhode Island’s low-income communities: disproportionately high incidence of breast cancer morbidity and high detection rate of tumors that have progressed beyond their localized first stage.
Chances for early detection and treatment are increased by means of the Hope Bus.
Breast cancer in Rhode Island
Breast cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in Rhode Island. In 2010, the American Cancer Society estimated 4,106 afflicted individuals in the state. That year, the American Cancer Society also estimated 770 newly diagnosed cases of breast cancer in the state and 140 deaths attributable to breast cancer.
Maureen DiPiero, who has served as the Hope Bus Outreach Educator since the program was launched last year, emphasizes the importance of stories shared aboard the RV: "For most of our visitors aboard the Hope Bus, it is their first time confiding in someone else about their journey with breast cancer. The sharing of personal experiences is incredibly powerful in the emotional healing and alleviation of fears by women and men faced with the disease.”
“With each visitor, the Hope Bus lives up to its name, and we appreciate the Amgen Foundation for helping make this possible."
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