Erie County has the second highest rate of breast cancer in Ohio.
If you’re an African-American woman, you are at a higher risk and are less likely to seek preventative care for breast health. The good news is there are resources to help you, your family, friends, and neighbors achieve better health and better outcomes for breast cancer.

The Foundation for Firelands, supporting Firelands Regional Medical Center, was recently awarded a grant from the Northwest Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to implement the SPICE (Support, Prevention, Intervention, Care and Education) program to help African-American women in Erie County receive free mammograms, diagnostic screenings, treatment, and survivorship support, based on income and insurance status. The SPICE program will run until April 30, 2013.

“Compared to the rest of the state, Erie County has a higher rate of breast cancer,” shares Alice Springer, Director of Development for The Foundation for Firelands. “With the assistance of Komen for the Cure we are excited to be part of an effort to reduce and help eliminate breast cancer in our area.”

Firelands Regional Medical Center Women’s Health & Wellness Center and the Community Outreach Department at Firelands Regional Medical Center have begun sessions with local churches to educate African-American women about the importance of breast self-exams and regular mammography visits. The grant also provides African-American women who are low-income, uninsured, or underinsured with the tools to detect and treat breast cancer from the earliest stages.

“Oftentimes women are too busy taking care of others they don’t take the time to care for themselves,” says Lori Kuns, Director of the Firelands Regional Medical Center Women’s Health & Wellness Center. “The SPICE program will give numerous at-risk women the tools they need to live longer, healthier lives.”

Educational materials provided by the Northwest Ohio Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure are available at the Firelands Regional Medical Center Women’s Health & Wellness Center and at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center at Firelands Regional Medical Center.

For more information about the SPICE Program, the churches involved in the program, and for other resources available to promote breast health, please contact The Foundation for Firelands at 419-557-7150.