FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRETTY IN PINK FOUNDATION RECEIVES GRANT FROM SUSAN G. KOMEN® NORTH CAROLINA TRIANGLE TO THE COAST TO FUND MEDICAL TREATMENT

RALEIGH, NC – September 25, 2019 – Susan G. Komen® North Carolina Triangle to the Coast (Komen NCTC) has awarded a $49,988 grant to Pretty In Pink Foundation to assist uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients with payment of their medical bills.

At Pretty In Pink Foundation, the grant from Komen NCTC will fund surgery, chemotherapy administration and radiation therapy for low-income breast cancer patients in North Carolina that cannot afford to pay for life-saving medical treatment. It is expected that the grant from Komen NCTC will fund at least 18 economically disadvantaged citizens, giving them an increased chance for survival.

Pretty In Pink Foundation will work together with surgeons, oncologists and radiologists to acquire reduced rates, then use Komen NCTC funds to make invoice payments directly to medical service providers, allowing patients to focus on their health rather than financial stress.

“Our goal is to ensure that every breast cancer patient in North Carolina has access to medical treatment regardless of her ability to pay,” said Becky Horn, Executive Director of Pretty In Pink Foundation. “This generous grant from Komen NCTC will help move us closer to that reality in the 29 counties they serve.”

Komen NCTC is one of more than eighty local affiliates of the world’s largest breast cancer organization, working in communities across the U.S. to meet the most critical needs. To help achieve Komen’s goal to reduce current breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026, affiliates like Komen NCTC fund innovative breast health projects that provide vitally needed breast cancer screening, diagnostic and treatment services and support, including patient navigation, education, medical supplies and financial assistance.

“We are pleased to distribute $350,000 in fundraised dollars through our Community Health Grants Program,” Pam Kohl, Komen NCTC Executive Director. “The selection of grants reflects Komen NCTC’s mission of funding culturally appropriate programs that close the gap in breast cancer disparities among women in our region.”

Komen NCTC’s Community Health Grants program supports medically underserved populations across its 29-county affiliate service area: Bladen, Brunswick, Caswell, Chatham, Columbus, Duplin, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Nash, New Hanover, Northampton, Onslow, Orange, Pender, Person, Pitt, Sampson, Scotland, Vance, Warren, Wake, and Wilson.

If you are in need of assistance or would like to learn more about Pretty In Pink Foundation’s program to serve under and uninsured breast cancer patients, please contact Becky Horn or visit www.prettyinpinkfoundation.org.

About Pretty In Pink Foundation

The mission of Pretty In Pink Foundation is to provide uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients in North Carolina with financial assistance for quality, life-saving medical treatment. The Foundation works closely with patients’ medical social workers and cancer center charity care to ensure economically challenged patients have assistance to ease their financial burdens associated with care. Pretty In Pink Foundation was founded in 2004 by Raleigh breast surgeon Dr. Lisa Tolnitch and is headquartered in Raleigh, NC. What began with assisting ten women in Wake County has evolved into helping thousands of breast cancer patients throughout North Carolina. 

About Susan G. Komen and Komen North Carolina Triangle to the Coast

Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Komen has set a Bold Goal to reduce the current number of breast cancer deaths by 50 percent in the U.S. by 2026. Komen was founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy’s life. Komen NC Triangle to the Coast is working to better the lives of those facing breast cancer in the local community. Komen NC Triangle to the Coast has invested more than $14 million in community breast health programs in its 29-county service area and has helped contribute over $5 million to the more than $988 million invested globally in research. For more information, call (919) 493-2873 or visit komennctc.org.