Brainerd Lakes Health awarded $50,000 grant from Komen

The Brainerd Lakes Health system, which includes St. Joseph's Medical Center, Brainerd Medical Center and six St. Joseph's Medical Center Clinics, was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen Brainerd Lakes Affiliate.

The grant will support the Brainerd Lakes Health Community Care program, which provides funding for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment when patients are unable to pay for care.

Last year breast cancer services totaling more than $40,000 were subsidized by Community Care, as part of approximately $4 million in total Community Care support. Current economic conditions and recent expansion to the clinic are likely to increase the need for this program.

Last year more than 100 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed and/or treated at St. Joseph's Medical Center and Brainerd Medical Center.