LUDLOW, Vt. – Linda Maness, a Komen New England Development Manager based in Vermont for the Susan G. Komen Foundation, was the guest speaker at the recent meeting of the Ludlow Rotary Club via Zoom. She discussed the history of the SGKF in Vermont, noting that the organization has been conducting fundraising in the state for the past 28 years. The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation operates the Komen Help Hotline and Komen Treatment Assistance Program. Both of these are meant to support women and men, who are facing a breast cancer diagnosis, with emotional, medical, and financial issues and needs as they relate to breast cancer. Five years ago, SGKF donated a $400,000 research grant to Dr. Jason Stumpff of UVM.
Due to the impact of COVID-19, they have revised their annual walk to raise funds to a “virtual walk.” Maness indicated the virtual walk would “take place wherever the donor wished – their backyard or living room.” It is scheduled for Oct. 24 in Vermont. She added that “walkers raise more money for the foundation than racers,” which is why the foundation stresses the walking program.
She cautioned that “cancer hasn’t stopped because of COVID-19,” highlighting the continued need for research funds to find a cure for breast cancer. The proceeds from the Komen More than Pink Walk are used to support the Help Hotline and Treatment Assistance Program, allowing for funding to be spread out in communities, therefore providing more access to quality care and treatment for more people.
Maness also detailed how the funds raised by the foundation are allocated to various medical research organizations working on the cure and prevention of breast cancer specifically and all forms of cancer in general. More information on the foundation may be found at www.komen.org.
Updated Aug. 20, 2020 to reflect corrections.