Grant money available for breast cancer treatment, education, screening

Grant money is available for nonprofit organizations to use toward innovative projects that support breast health and breast cancer treatment, screening and education.

The Brainerd Lakes Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is accepting grant applications through Dec. 31. The grants are available for one year, and the funded projects must serve residents of Crow Wing, Cass and Aitkin counties. Priority will be given to projects that focus on breast health education, breast screening services and outreach to rural areas.

The grants are just one way that the Komen Brainerd Lakes Affiliate is working to better the lives of local residents facing breast cancer. Through events like the Komen Brainerd Lakes Race for the Cure, the affiliate has invested more than $400,000 in area breast health and breast cancer awareness projects. Up to 75 percent of all funds generated by the Komen Brainerd Lakes Affiliate stay in the three counties, while the remaining income goes to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Award and Research Grant Programs supporting research, awards and educational and scientific programs around the world.

"We really encourage nonprofit organizations to take advantage of this opportunity," said Brenda Jindra, grant chair for the Komen Brainerd Lakes Affiliate, in a news release. "We enjoy giving away grant money because that means new services are available locally to help us combat breast cancer in the three-county area."

For more information, contact Jindra at (218) 839-2000 or grantschair.komen@charter.net.