Houston, TX (October 2019) – After a rigorous review of almost 600 grant applications, the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) has awarded 101 grants to highly-qualified cancer researchers, prevention initiatives and product development projects across the state of Texas. The Rose is one of those recipients and was awarded with $539,144, which it will use over the next 24 months to extend cancer prevention services to ten additional rural Texas counties, including: Angelina, Brazos, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Nacogdoches, Orange, Robertson, Trinity and Walker.
CPRIT was established in 2007 after Texas voters affirmed their commitment to combat cancer. Since then, CPRIT has funded advancements in cancer prevention and research, and has provided nearly 5 million clinical services to Texans in every county. These new funds for The Rose will be used to expand patient navigation and coordinated care to approximately 3,275 rural women living in these medically underserved counties, along with providing follow-up diagnostics to an estimated 571women over 24 months.
“Studies show that rural Texas counties have a greater cancer burden than their urban counterparts. Due to access-to-care barriers, women who need a mammogram either can’t afford the cost or can’t afford the time away to travel the hundreds of miles it would take to get to a facility. And that’s if there is a facility even within 100 miles,” explained Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose.
As a result, Texas rural women are more likely to have breast cancer diagnosed at a later, more invasive stage and are more likely to die. “With this CPRIT grant, we are helping those Texas women know that their lives are valuable. I’m grateful that Texas voters saw the need for CPRIT and that prevention funds are making their way to the people who need them,” Gibbons said.
The Rose will provide breast healthcare to underserved women age 40 and over who have never had a mammogram or who have not had a mammogram within the last two years. Two Program Managers will serve as community liaisons. They will: 1) train collaborating partners on how to run successful mobile mammography screening events, 2) bridge gaps in breast healthcare by connecting community resources and providers to medically underserved women, and 3) encourage health care providers to perform clinical breast exams. Their goal is to ensure a care continuum between providers for each patient, ideally near their hometown/community.
To learn more about CPRIT and how you can support this community effort go to www.fightcancer.org/tx and follow The Rose on Facebook. For more information on The Rose, visit www.TheRose.org. Details on further specifics related to CPRIT funding can be found at www.cprit.state.tx.us.
To schedule a media interview with any member of our board, please contact Lis Harper at 281-846-5976 or email [email protected]. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.therose.org.
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided high quality breast healthcare to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Its mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, The Rose is led by Fellowship trained physicians and offers advanced digital technology including 3-D tomosynthesis mammography, diagnostic workups, biopsies and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As a major part of Southeast Texas’ Healthcare Safety Net, The Rose is a strong advocate for quality breast healthcare and access to care. The Rose provides direct medical services to 40,000 insured and uninsured patients annually. Two Houston-based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 43 counties in Southeast Texas.
