Past Grant Recipients

FY 11-12 Grants:

Cumberland Plateau Health District - Virginia Department of Health - "Screenings and Healthy Lifestyles Saves Lives" - Provided free mammograms, breast MRIs, and breast biopsies to uninsured, low-income women ages 35-50 in the Cumberland Plateau area.

ETSU College of Nursing - "Improving Access to Breast Cancer Screening in NE Tennessee" - Provided mammograms to uninsured eligible women in the Johnson City Downtown Clinic and Mountain City Extended Hours Health Center communities.

Laughlin Health Care Foundation - "Tell Your Mom, Save a Life...AND MORE" - This program provided free, screening mammograms for the underserved and underinsured women of Greene County, TN. This program also provided education to high school girls, as well as adults.

Lenowisco Health District - "Lenowisco Breast Health" - This program provided education, navigation, assistance, and breast screening and diagnostic services to women, 18 to 64 years of age, who are low-income, under-insured and are ineligible for these services through other programs.

Mount Rogers Health District - VDH - "Screen for Life" - This program provided breast cancer screening and diagnostic services to women in Smyth County, VA, Washington County, VA, and the city of Bristol, VA. The project served women aged 40 to 49.

Tennesee Department of Health - "The Breast Screening and Treatment for TN Women Project (BeST)" - This grant provided uninsured and underinsured women in the Komen Tri-Cities affiliate area with necessary breast screening, diagnostics, and treatment services.

University of Tennessee Medical Center - "Breast Health Outreach Program (BHOP)" - The BHOP was a comprehensive program focused on improving access and reducing barriers to persons in need of mammograms and clinical breast exams in Hancock County, TN. The BHOP had a mobile mammography unit which was taken to Hancock County on scheduled dates.

Wellmont Foundation - "Breast Cancer Awareness, Risk Assessment and Evaluation Program for High Risk Women (Breast CARE Program)" - This grant was designed to improve awareness of breast cancer risk in young women with a strong history of breast cancer by providing education and earlier and more frequent screening. Women may also receive genetic testing if all guidelines were met.

Wellmont Foundation - "Project Access to Breast Health (ABC)" - The mission of Project ABC was to increase the accessibility of screening mammograms to women in East Tennessee and Scott County, VA who did not qualify for services available in their community.

FY 10-11 Grants:

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation – Spruce Pine, NC ($24,865.62)
Collaboration between Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and Toe River Project Access.  Program will provide 98 screening mammograms and 168 gas cards for transportation and educational materials.  The program serves patients in Mitchell, Yancey and Avery counties.

Cumberland Plateau, Virginia Department of Health – Lebanon, VA ($24,200)
Program will provide 55 screening mammograms to women between 35 and 64 living in the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell, Virginia.

ETSU College of Nursing – Johnson City, TN ($28,175)
Collaboration between the ETSU College of Nursing, the Johnson City Downtown Clinic and the Mountain City Extended Hours Health Center.  One-hundred seventy five (175) women will receive a screening mammogram, and 200 women will be educated.

Hot Springs Health Program – Madison County, NC ($25,239.50)
Collaboration between Hot Springs Health Program, Madison County Health Department, NC Comprehensive Cancer Program, Breast Center at Hope, Mission Hospital Breast Center, American Cancer Society and Madison Community Health Consortium.  The program will provide 30 screening mammograms, education to 300 women and transportation services (55% of residents over the age of 55 do not own cars).
Johnston Memorial Hospital – Abington, VA ($12,454.50)
Program will educate 750 high school students and provide 100 screening mammograms. 

Laughlin Health Care Foundation – Greeneville, TN ($20,215)
Collaboration between Laughlin Health Care Foundation, the Greene County Health Department, the Greeneville City School System and the Greene County School System to provide 160 screening mammograms.  The unemployment rate in Greene County is currently 15% with 20% of families at poverty level.

Lenowisco Health District, Virginia Department of Health – Wise, VA ($18,402)
Program will provide 100 screening mammograms to women between the ages of 18 and 50 as well as education to 150 women.  The Lenowisco Health District serves the counties of Lee, Wise, Scott, and the City of Norton in rural southwest Virginia.  Estimates are that 20% of the community is without health insurance. 

Mountain States Health Alliance – Johnson City, TN ($24,426)
Program will provide education to 1000 women and provide 100 screening mammograms.  Information about the program will be taken to Project Access, the Downtown Clinic and the Dispensary of Hope.  Up to 50 gas cards will be provided for those who qualify and have to drive 10 or more miles to the appointment.

Mt. Rogers Health District, Virginia Department of Health – Marion, VA ($21,000)
Program will provide 125 screening mammograms to women 40-49 in Smyth, and Washington counties, Virginia, including the city of Bristol, Virginia.

Tennessee Department of Health ($57,500)
Program will provide screening mammograms to 250 women between the ages of 50 and 65 who have never had or have not had a mammogram in two or more years, with an emphasis on women in Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties. 

Wellmont Health System – Kingsport, TN ($80,000)
Collaboration of Holston Valley Medical Center, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Hawkins County Community Hospital, Friends In Need Health Care Center, and Sullivan County Health Department.  Program to provide 538 screening mammograms to women between the ages of 35 and 64.  Referral partners are Health Departments of Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Unicoi and Washington Counties. 

Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center – Kingsport, TN ($9,522)
Collaboration with Sullivan County Regional Health Department, Kingsport Hematology Oncology and the Christine LaGuardia Phillips Cancer Center.  Program will provide genetic screening and diagnostic workup.
 
FY 09-10 Grants:

Mt. Rogers Health District – This project will provide breast cancer screening exams to 50 women in Smyth and Washington Counties, VA (including city of Bristol, VA). The target will be women ages 40-49 who are at or below 200% of federal poverty level, have no health insurance and do not qualify for other programs. The project will provide clinical breast exams, screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, case management services and surgical consultation as indicated.

TN Dept of Health – This project targets uninsured and underinsured women in Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties for breast screening, diagnostic and treatment services. The goal of the project is to reach and serve at least 270 who are below 250% federal poverty level.

Wellmont Health System – This project is a collaboration between Holston Valley Medical Center, Bristol Regional Medical Center, Hawkins County Community Hospital, Friends in Need Health Care Center, and Sullivan County Regional Health Department. Participants must fall below 250% of the federal poverty level. Anticipated participation is 380 women.

Holston Valley Medical Center – The goals of this program are to offer education, clinical evaluation, hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic testing to individuals at high-risk for developing breast cancer who have limited financial means.

ETSU College of Nursing – This project will provide breast health and cancer awareness and breast cancer screening to women of the Johnson City Downtown Clinic and Mountain City Extended Hours Health Center communities. Women between ages 40-49 whose household income doesn’t exceed 250% of federal poverty level will be eligible for screening mammograms.

Lenowisco Health District – This project will target Appalachian women 18-50 for clinical services to include breast exams, mammograms, breast ultrasounds, surgical consultations, breast MRI and BSGI as medically indicated. Educational services will be provided in the clinic area and at community outreach events.
Cumberland Plateau Health District – This project will provide 50 rural, uninsured, low income women ages 35-64 with free screening mammograms, limited number of low cost breast ultrasounds, and breast biopsies. Education programs will also be offered.

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital Foundation – This project is a partnership with Blue Ridge Regional Hospital and Foundation, HealthNet and the Mitchell and Yancey Health Departments. The project will provide gas cards to low-income, uninsured women needing mammograms.

American Cancer Society – This project will provide gas cards for 2 different programs: Road to Recovery and Transportation Grants. Road to Recovery gas cards will be used to help offset expenses of volunteer drivers in order to better recruit volunteers. Transportation Grants are provided to 4 healthcare facilites for offsetting gas costs for patients to get to treatments.

Laughlin Health Care Foundation – This project is a partnership with the Greeneville City School System and Greene County School System to target 2075 senior-high females and their mothers, teachers, and other staff members in the schools to educate and raise awareness to breast cancer and early detection.

Mountain States Health Alliance – This project is a collaboration between the Health Resources Center with area organizations to improve the knowledge of underserved women in the region. The program focuses on targeting educational efforts to help change the perceptions and thought processes regarding breast cancer. This project continues to build on previous grant awards.

FY 08-09 Grants:

ETSU College of Nursing – Improving Breast Health
This project will provide free screening mammograms, enhance case management and provide educational services for women in Johnson, Carter, Sullivan, Washington, Unicoi and Greene Counties of Tennessee. This will be accomplished through primary healthcare clinics, primarily Johnson City Downtown Clinic and Mountain City Extended Hours Health Center. Mammograms will be offered to women who fall outside the eligibility requirements for the TN BCCSP, targeting those who are 40 to 49 and within 250% of the federal poverty level.

Wellmont Health System - Project ABC
This project will increase the accessibility of screening mammograms to women in East TN and Scott Co, VA who otherwise do not qualify for services already available in their community. Project ABC is a successful project and a collaborative effort between Wellmont’s Breast Imaging Centers (Holston Valley Medical Center, Bristol Regional Medical Center, and Hawkins County Community Hospital), Friends In Need Health Care Center, and Sullivan County Regional Health Department. Women 35-49 who meet financial criteria will receive a free mammogram. Participates in the program must fall below 250% of the Federal Poverty guidelines.

VDH Cumberland Plateau District – Screening Saves Lives
Women ages 35-50, from Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell counties in Virginia will be provided with free mammograms if they meet income guidelines and a determined amount of money to supplement payment towards a breast biopsy, if needed. This age group is not covered by other federally funded programs The goal is to provide this service to 50 women.

Lenowisco Health District – Breast Health
This project will target Appalachian women under age 50 for clinical services that include breast exams, mammograms, breast ultrasounds and breast biopsies as medically indicated. Education materials and services will be provided in the clinic and at community outreach events. The mortality rates in the Lenowisco district continue to be higher than the overall state rate.

Mountain States Health Alliance – Knowledge is Power, Caring is Sharing
This program will have two departments of Mountain States Health Alliance collaborate to enhance the operations of the “Knowledge is Power , Caring is Sharing” Program, delivering breast health education to the rural, minority, and underserved women of Carter, Johnson, Sullivan and Washington counties in Tennessee. The Health Resources Center will work with the MSHA Radiology Department to improve the coordination and outreach.

Tennessee Department of Health-The BeST for TN Women Project
This project will provide screening and diagnostic services for uninsured or underinsured women in the Tri-Cities target counties through the state’s breast and cervical screening program offered at county health depts. Special emphasis will be placed on screening women who have not had a mammogram or who have not had one in two or more years. This population is especially vulnerable for having a late stage diagnosis resulting in higher risk of mortality from this disease. Local providers provide screening and diagnostic services and any women who is diagnosed with breast cancer is enrolled in TennCare for treatment.

American Cancer Society – Supporting the Breast Cancer Patient Access to Treatment and Road to Recovery
This grant will assist the American Cancer Society in providing gas cards to expand their transportation program to off-site treatment facilities that currently do not have a transportation grant program.

Watauga Medical Center –Breast Cancer Education Group
This grant will assist those diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Avery and Watauga Counties, NC, and Johnson County, TN to cope with the challenges of treatment and survivorship by having monthly education sessions by qualified presenters on topics of concern. An experienced counselor will be present at each session to allow time for reflection on the impact on survivor’s lives. There will be a Pilates-like program available to survivors twice a week and also a walking program.

Mountain States Health Alliance-Fueling the Journey to Recovery
This project will provide support to breast cancer survivors that are undergoing treatment at a MSHA Regional Cancer Center site (Johnson City Medical Center or Indian Path Medical Center) for their transportation to and from treatments in the form of gas cards for patients that live outside easy travel distance or who are in financial need.

FY 07-08 Grants:

Holston Valley Medical Center - Breast CARE
The Breast Cancer Awareness, Risk Assessment and Evaluation Program (Breast CARE) is offered to promote awareness of breast cancer and provide opportunities to prevent breast cancer in high-risk individuals and their families. The primary goal is to offer education, clinical evaluation, hereditary cancer risk assessment and genetic testing to individuals at high-risk for developing breast cancer who have limited financial means to pursue preventative options. In addition to the screening/testing, a discussion/support group will be held twice a year for families identified with a breast cancer gene or women with a significant family history of breast cancer of unknown cause. 2nd year for this grant.

Girls Inc. - Together We Can
The “Together We Can: Breast Health Education and Screening for Girls and their Mothers” program, led by Girls, Inc of Johnson City/Washington County and including the Health Resource Center and Breast Care Center of Mountain States Health Alliance, the Johnson City Evening Rotary Club and the Tennessee Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program will work with girls and their mothers to provide them with knowledge and access to screenings and mammograms. Health breast care habits will be taught and access to free or reduced cost breast screenings and mammograms based on ability to pay.

ETSU College of Nursing – Improving Breast Health
This project will provide free screening mammograms, enhance case management and provide educational services for women in Johnson, Carter, Sullivan, Washington, Unicoi and Greene Counties of Tennessee. This will be accomplished through primary healthcare clinics, primarily Johnson City Downtown Clinic and Mountain City Extended Hours Health Center. Mammograms will be offered to women who fall outside the eligibility requirements for the TN BCCSP, targeting those who are 40 to 49 and within 200% of the federal poverty level.

Holston Valley Medical Center - Project ABC
This project will increase the accessibility of screening mammograms to women in East TN and Scott Co, VA who otherwise do not qualify for services already available in their community. This project partners Wellmont Comprehensive Breast Center, Friends in Need Health Care Center and Sullivan County Regional Health Department. Women 35-49 who meet financial criteria will receive a free mammogram. 2nd year for this grant.

Yancey County Health Department, Toe River District – Improving Mammogram Utilization
Transportation to medical care is challenging for women living in western North Carolina. Many women in Yancey County have to travel 30-40 miles for medical care in neighboring Mitchell County. With the average weekly pay rate for jobs being $496 per week, travel for mammograms often is not a priority in the budget. This project will provide 47 women transportation assistance to free mammograms.

VDH Cumberland Plateau District – Screening Saves Lives
Women ages 40-50, from Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell counties in Virginia will be provided with free mammograms if they meet income guidelines. This age group is not covered by other federally funded programs. Fifteen women from each of the 4 counties will be reached. In addition approximately 10 women will be offered biopsies at no charge. 2nd year of this grant.

Lenowisco Health District – Breast Health
This project will target Appalachian women under age 50 for clinical services that include breast exams, mammograms, breast ultrasounds and breast biopsies as medically indicated. The mortality rates in the Lenowisco district continue to be higher than the overall state rate. 2nd year of this grant.

Watauga Medical Center – Lymphedema Sleeve Support Program
This grant will cover the costs of custom made lymphedema sleeves for breast cancer survivors in Watauga and Avery Counties in North Carolina who without private insurance can not afford this product. Approximately 12 women will benefit from this grant.

Watauga Medical Center – Breast Cancer Support Group
This grant will provide support services including group and individual counseling, education on lymphedema, exercise and prostheses, and complementary therapies including massage, relaxation, music and art. This is a journey beyond surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, to healing of body, mind and spirit for breast cancer survivors, families and caregivers.

Mountain States Health Alliance – Knowledge is Power, Caring is Sharing
This program will provide education to the rural, minority, and underserved women of Carter, Johnson, Sullivan and Washington counties of Tennessee. Twelve educational sessions will be held through a partnership with Sullivan County Regional Health Department, the Washington County Health Department, the Northeast Tennessee Coalition for Rural Health and other community partners. The two fold message addresses alleviating fears and misconceptions and encouraging women to share their new knowledge with families and friends. 2nd year for this grant.

Tennessee Department of Health – The BeST for TN Women Project
This project will provide services to the never or rarely screened woman through community outreach by county extension workers and screening services through the county health departments. A clinical breast exam is offered as well as mammography services. All services are free. The target is women who have never had a mammogram or who have not been screened in two or more years. Twenty-three percent of women in the Tri-Cities area of Tennessee meet this definition.

American Cancer Society – Breast Programs and Services
This grant will assist the American Cancer Society in providing gas cards to expand their transportation program to off-site treatment facilities that currently do not have a transportation grant program. It will also assist their prosthesis and wig programs.

Watauga Medical Center – Diagnostic Follow-up Mammograms for Breast Cancer Survivors
This grant will provide diagnostic follow-up mammograms for approximately 5 women from Watauga, Avery or Johnson Counties in North Carolina who can not otherwise afford to pay for this service and do not have insurance to cover this much needed ongoing care.

Mountain States Health Alliance – Enhancing Holistic Care Through Psychosocial Oncology
This project will bring an integrated approach to providing care to individuals with breast cancer in northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. Staff members from pastoral care and social services will form a core group offering new forms of support to breast cancer patients and survivors. This will be accomplished through community educational offerings.

FY 06-07 Grants:

Watauga Medical Center in Boone, NC received a grant for “Boost for Beauty”, a program to assist breast cancer patients who are uninsured or underinsured purchase bras, prostheses, post-surgical camisoles and wigs.  Educational materials were also included in the grant. $3,910.75

Virginia Department of Health, Lenowisco Health District, received funding to complement a state funded program called “Every Woman’s Life”.  The grant provides monies for comprehensive breast screening for uninsured women under the age of 50, a group not covered by the state funded program.  $27,236.69

Laughlin Health Care Foundation received 3 grants.  Partnering with the Greene County Health Department, grant funds provided self breast exam shower cards ($1,674.00) and breast models ($1,200.00) for the education of underserved women.  Partnering with the American Cancer Society, grant funds are providing prosthetic bras and forms to qualifying women ($2,700.00).

Virginia Department of Health, Cumberland Plateau District, received $13,000.00 in grant funds for their program “Screening Saves Lives”.  Free mammograms will be offered to women aged 40-50 who are uninsured.

Bristol Regional Medical Center received a grant for their program “Beginning Recovery and Support (BRAS)” to provide post-surgical camisoles and bras for the uninsured and underinsured.  $4,200.00

Holston Valley Medical Center received a grant of $23,821.00 for their program “Breast Cancer Awareness.  Risk Assessment and Evaluation Program for High Risk Women”.  This program will offer education, clinical evaluation, hereditary risk assessment and genetic testing for those who have limited financial means.

Holston Valley Medical Center, partnering with Friends in Need Health Care Center and Sullivan County Health Department, will offer “Project Access to Breast Care (ABC)”.  Mammogram services will be offered to underserved women who do not qualify for other services.  $25,000.00

Mountain States Health Alliance received a grant for “Knowledge is Power.  Caring is Sharing.  Breast Cancer Outreach to Underserved Women”.  This project will deliver educational presentations to at-risk women in Sullivan, Carter, Washington and Johnson counties.