SSUDF Receives Grant for Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign

     Shawnee State University is reaching out to women of all ages in our region to help them reduce the risk of breast cancer and its impact on their lives.

     The Shawnee State University Development Foundation has received a $54,767 grant from the Columbus affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure to fund “Never Too Young…Never Too Old.” The new program will provide education about breast cancer prevention and detection to Shawnee State students and women in Scioto, Pike and Lawrence counties.

     Susan Warsaw, executive director of development at SSU, said the program is a perfect fit with Poised for Tomorrow, the university’s capital campaign. “One of the campaign initiatives is to enhance the clinical experiences of our allied health students while reaching out to area residents. ‘Never Too Young…Never Too Old’ is right in step with that.”

     The funding will allow the university to raise awareness among women in Scioto, Pike and Lawrence counties about breast health and breast cancer and educate them regarding prevention and detection. Clinical examinations and referrals will also be a part of the program.

     Mattie Burton, chair of Shawnee State’s department of nursing, said that a program like this is very important to the area. “Unfortunately, Appalachian women don’t always get the screenings they need, which puts them at risk.”

     Burton said that Appalachian populations are predominantly rural and are more likely to have residents who are elderly, poor and uninsured with less access to preventative care.

      Currently, there are no other services of this kind being offered in the three-county area.

     “Not only is this program unique in our area, it is long overdue,” Burton said.

     The activities for “Never Too Young…Never Too Old” will begin with the Komen Columbus Race for the Cure May 19. Students, faculty and staff from Shawnee State University are inviting everyone in the three-county area to join them in a caravan that will take them to Columbus for the race.

     Anyone wanting more information about the race or “Never Too Young…Never Too Old” can contact the SSU Development Office at (740) 351-3284.

     Poised for Tomorrow is a $12 million capital campaign to support a broad array of campus initiatives. Those initiatives include undergraduate research, new technologies, specialized studies, faculty development, scholarships, enhanced clinical experiences and an enhanced quality of life for the region.

     Anyone wanting more information about Poised for Tomorrow can call the Development Office at (740) 351-3284 or visit the university’s website at www.shawnee.edu.