Guest Writer: Helen Chesnut, Komen St. Louis Executive Director
Since 1999, Susan G. Komen® St. Louis has built a reliable reputation in the St. Louis region. This is due, in large part, to the contributions, both financial and otherwise, of people who share our commitment to meeting the breast health needs of the women, men and families most at risk and most in need right here in our community.
Thank you for the role you play in supporting Komen St. Louis as we focus every day on our mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Your support gives strength to individuals in our community – individuals like Tondaleia.
Florissant resident Tondaleia, age 35 and mother of three, did not have health insurance when she found a painful lump in her breast last spring. She received a free mammogram, paid for by Komen St. Louis, through one of our community partners. After an ultrasound, a biopsy, genetic testing and a double mastectomy, Tondaleia is due to finish her chemotherapy treatments by Thanksgiving.
Knowing that we can help women like Tondaleia and others in our community every day gives me strength.
As an eight-year breast cancer survivor, I celebrate the sources of my strength: family, friends, faith. I was lucky. I knew I could get a mammogram when needed. I knew where to go for breast health services. I just knew I was going to live. Not everyone is as confident when they find a lump, and that is when Susan G. Komen St. Louis can give strength.
Right now, Komen St. Louis funding supports six local organizations that deliver critical, life-saving breast health services – including free mammograms and navigation through the health care system – to those, like Tondaleia, who may not otherwise have access due to low income, lack of insurance or other barriers. Right now, Komen-funded researchers in St. Louis are working to develop personalized breast cancer vaccines, to develop drugs that will prevent breast cancer recurrence and to determine a treatment for triple negative breast cancer.
Because breast cancer knows no boundaries and never takes a day off, I’m asking you to help Komen St. Louis by contributing to our 2014 Annual Giving Campaign today. Through the consistent and valued support of donors like you, we are able to make a difference in the care and survival of women like Tondaleia.
Your contribution will help give strength to hundreds of lives through the programs supported by our Komen St. Louis grants. I hope you will consider a gift in support of our mission. Please make a one-time or monthly donation today.
I thank you for your support.
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