Yoplait Awards $50,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure©, San Diego to provide Education, Outreach and Access to Free Mammograms

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Funds will also be used to assist Komen in understanding how breast cancer affects the Latina community to come up with real solutions that will save lives.

San Diego, CA, November 16, 2011 - (PressReleasePoint) - Though the breast cancer incidence rate for Latinas in San Diego County is lower than that for Caucasians and African Americans, the mortality rate is higher among Latinas.  In fact, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among Latina women in San Diego County.  With $50,000 in funding provided by the Pink Lids Save Lives program from Yoplait, Komen San Diego is implementing a program throughout the rest of the year to target women where they shop and provide free mammograms on site.
 
“We know the high mortality rates are due in part to lower screening rates among Latinas,” said Laura Farmer Sherman, Executive Director of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® in San Diego.  “These women aren’t getting their annual mammograms for lots of reasons chief among them lack of awareness"; access to mammograms – the cost of them and just simply getting there; language and cultural barriers.

“We also know that Latinas are less likely to follow-up with breast care appointments, even after a diagnosis,” said Farmer Sherman.

Now, with this funding,  the San Diego Affiliate is underway with a Latina-driven education an outreach effort – culminating in “Breast Health Fiestas” at several NorthGate Gonzales Markets throughout the remainder of the year.

In 2010, the San Diego Affiliate worked with the Grocery chain to implement a pilot outreach effort targeting Latina women with breast health information and an opportunity for free mammography screening through a health partner.
 
“Between 200-280 women completed the survey at both locations, and of those women 42 mammograms were provided,” said Farmer Sherman.  “11 suspicious mammograms were identified, and those women were referred to an existing Komen San Diego grantee for diagnostic follow-up.”

This year’s efforts will target 1,000 women.

“We hope to save many more lives through this effort,” said Farmer Sherman.  “Thanks to Yoplait and NorthGate Gonzales Markets.”

For more information, call 858-573-2760.

Background of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®’s relationship with Yoplait
For more than 21 years, Yoplait has been committed to women's wellness – breast cancer, heart health, osteoporosis prevention and fitness.  As such, Yoplait is Susan G. Komen for the Cure's longest running food partner, with Save Lids to Save Lives recognized as one of the most successful cause marketing programs in the industry.  To date, Yoplait has donated more than $25 million to the breast cancer cause through their Save Lids to Save Lives program and through their National Presenting sponsorship of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® Series.

Did you know?
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime.
The most significant risk factors are being a female and getting older.
Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate.
Breast cancer typically strikes women during their most productive years, both professionally and personally.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women ages 40-59.
Men can get breast cancer, too. One percent of breast cancer diagnosis will be in male patients.