FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2005

ATLANTA, Ga--Today, the Georgia Cancer Coalition (GCC), the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), and the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) announced awards of over $1 million to twenty-four grantees. The funds, derived from the sale of the Breast Cancer License Tages, are targeted to fund cancer related programs for those persons who are medically indigent and may have breast cancer. Such programs may include education, breast cancer screening, outreach, and access. The awardees were selected through a competitive Request for Proposals process that was peer reviewed.

Georgia has one of the highest rates of cancer in the nation. The Georgia Cancer Coalition was founded in 2000 to bring the public and private sectors together to reduce the burden of cancer for Georgia's residents. Bill Todd, President of the Coalition, notes that the mission of the Georgia Cancer Coaltion "is to bring all of our state's abundant resources to bear as we strive to lessen the burden of cancer. The Coalition has created a partnership that challenges the public and private sectors, academic and clinical institutions, and individuals and advocacy groups to dedicate their efforts toward a single goal of reducing the human suffering and untimely deaths attributed to cancer."

In a proclamation released today, Governor Perdue announced that Wednesday, October 19 will be the third annual Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness Day in Georgia.

"Breast cancer can have devastating effects not only on the women who are diagnosed, but also on their families and friends," said Governor Sonny Perdue. "It is important that we continue to bring awareness of this disease to all of Georgia's citizens and commend those working tirelessly to encourage prevention and improved access for women to screening and treatment programs."

Nearly 5,800 Georgia women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and approximately 1,100 women in the state are expected to die from the disease. Mammograms have been shown to lower the number of deaths caused by breast cancer by more than 30 percent, according to the American Cancer Society.

"Annual mammograms save lives," said Stuart Brown, director of DHR's Division of Public Health. "It is the best action that a woman over the age of 40 can take to detect breast cancer in its early stages when the disease is most treatable. Breast Cancer Prevention and Awareness Day allows us to emphasize the lifesaving benefits of routine mammograms."

2005 Breast Cancer License Tage Fund Grantees

Angie Snow Ministries--Conyers, GA

Blue Ridge Area Health Education Center--Rome, GA

The Center for Black Women's Wellness--Atlanta, GA

The Center for Pan-Asian Community Services--Doraville, GA

Clara Walton Foundation--Norcross, GA

Community Health Works--Forsyth, GA

Dia de la Mujer Latina, Inc.--Tucker, GA

East Georgia Cancer Coalition--Athens, GA

Family Health Enterprise--Atlanta, GA

Georgia Breast Cancer Coalition Fund--Atlanta, GA

Henry W. Grady Health System Foundation--Atlanta, GA

Macon Volunteer Clinic--Macon, GA

The Medical Center Foundation for the Northeast Georgia Medical Center--Gainesville, GA

Memorial Health University Medical Center Foundation--Savannah, GA

Morgan Memorial Hospital--Madison, GA

Northeast Health District, Clark County Board of Health--Athens, GA

Northweast Georgia Regional Cancer Coaition--Rome, GA

Northwest Georgia Healthcare Partnership--Dalton, GA

Screven County Hospital--Sylvania, GA

Southeast Georgia Health System--Brunswick, GA

St. Joseph's Candler Foundations--Savannah, GA

St. Joseph's Mercy Care Services--Atlanta, GA

University Health Care System--Augusta, GA

West Central Georgia Cancer Coaltion--Columbus, GA