The rate of invasive breast cancer is 136 in 100,000 for women in Connecticut, higher than the national average of 125 per 100,000. In men, the national rate is 1.2 per 100,000. Hartford has been found to have a high rate of late-stage diagnosis. Those wishing to bring awareness to the issue and work toward finding a cure may have needed to rethink their support of the major organization associated with breast cancer research: Susan G. Komen Foundation.
In November of 2011, the Komen board decided to take steps toward stopping its funding of Planned Parenthood, an organization that provides screenings for breast and ovarian cancers. As a result, many have withdrawn their support of Komen. The New York Times reports that “registered attendance or donations have declined by more than 25 percent at some of the group’s recent Race for the Cure events, according to interviews with officials at 10 of the national nonprofit’s local affiliates.”
The dissatisfaction with Komen’s policies has been a catalyst for some to join up with smaller organizations, such as the CT Breast Health Initiative, which keeps its fundraising dollars in state. Based in New Britain, CT BHI has given $1.6 million to breast cancer research and education projects. Recent grants were awarded to researchers from Yale Cancer Center; Yale University Department of Molecular Biophysics, Biochemistry and Pharmacology; UConn Health Center; and the Hospital of Central Connecticut.
CT BHI’s major fundraising event — CT RACE IN THE PARK — is scheduled for Saturday, May 12th in Walnut Hill Park (New Britain). In its ninth year, the events for the day will include races — running and walking — of various distances, shopping, a silent auction, kids’ activities, music, and a brunch for cancer survivors.
Registration begins at 6:30 in the morning; the first race kicks off at 8. For more information, see the CT BHI website.
