Providence Cancer Center Names Research Lab for Susan G. Komen

Providence Cancer Center and Susan G. Komen will celebrate a mutual dedication to research when Providence names a research lab for Susan G. Komen.  The naming is in recognition of almost $1.1 million in Komen grants to Providence researchers and more than $160,000 in support of breast cancer screening and education. These grants to Providence were made possible by Komen’s donors and funders.     Thomas Bruner, CEO of Komen Oregon/SW Washington, states “With ten women and men dying from breast cancer each week in Oregon, the need to find the cures is urgent. Providence researchers are working on some of the most complex issues in the pursuit of breast cancer cures and treatment. We are proud to be among their partners and donors.”   In addition to research, Komen funds have supported breast cancer screening, culturally-specific outreach to Latinas and Vietnamese Americans, and staff training on lymphedema treatment.    Komen is the largest non-governmental funder of breast cancer research in the world, with more than $800 million invested so far, including $11.3 million to researchers at Providence and OHSU Knight Cancer Center.  Across Oregon and SW Washington, Komen has donated more than $29 million to  research, early detection, survivor support and advocacy.   Komen is the leader in spreading breast cancer awareness throughout the world. Due largely to that leadership, breast cancer deaths have plummeted 33% since 1990, and 5-year survival rates when breast cancer is detected early have increased from 72% in 1982 to 99% today.    Providence will hold a naming celebration for Komen and Providence supporters on February 6, 2014. Dave Underriner, CEO of Providence-Oregon, and a member of Komen’s advisory board, and Walter Urba, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Research, will host the celebration.    A summary of Komen’s financial support of Providence’s breast cancer work is below.    Komen Research Grants to Providence:  Year Investigator Amount  2012 Keith Bahjat $450,000  2011 Michael J Gough $449,888  2009 Hong‐Ming Hu, Yuhuan Li $180,000    Subtotal: $1,079,888   Komen Non-Research Grants to Providence:   Year Project Title Amount 2013 Next Steps Against Breast Cancer – survivor support group $2,000  2012 Community Screening Event - transportation & childcare $2,000 2011 Staff Training on Lymphedema Treatment - Seaside $2,000 2010 Staff Training on Lymphedema Treatment - St Vincent $2,000  2009 Staff Training on Lymphedema Treatment - Portland $2,000  2008 Vietnamese-American Volunteer Health Educator Program $16,176  2008 Building Bridges – education class for Latinas $2,500 2007 Vietnamese-American Volunteer Health Educator Program $40,000  2002 Development of Integrative Medicine Program – St Vincent  $40,000 1999 Breast Cancer Screenings $15,000  1998 Breast Cancer Screenings $19,893 1996 Community Education and Outreach $7,000  1995 Breast Cancer Issues Conference $5,000 1992 Breast Cancer Screenings $5,173   Subtotal: $160,742    Total:  $1,240,630