CNM Komen for the Cure Funds UNM Comadre a Comadre Program

The University of New Mexico NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu September 2, 2009 CNM Komen for the Cure Funds UNM Comadre a Comadre Program Funding to help expand services at two local hospitals Comadre A Comadre, the University of New Mexico’s College of Education program that provides education, resources and breast health support for Hispanic/Latina women, has received a grant for $50,000 from the Central New Mexico (CNM) Komen for the Cure Foundation. The grant titled, “Addressing the Barriers to Education, Resources and Support among Hispanic/Latina Women with Breast Cancer,” will increase peer mentor navigators at two local facility sites by partnering with Lovelace Women’s Hospital Breast Care Center and UNM’s Cancer Center at Lovelace Medical Center. “We are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with the Comadre program,” said Sandra Arellano, Breast Care Navigator at Lovelace Women’s Hospital. “A diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming, and having community resources, such as the Comadre program, to refer our clients to is extremely helpful. We are able to work together to enhance each other’s services in an attempt to better meet the needs of each patient.” “Throughout the years, we have seen through our Comadre program, the benefits of having someone there to support you – someone who has already ‘been there,’ said Elba Saavedra, Comadre program director. “This is especially important in our culture where we often find ourselves facing this disease alone and not knowing where or how to seek emotional support. The support of the Comadre peer mentor navigator is invaluable.” According to the 2007 New Mexico Facts and Figure the most common cancer among New Mexico Hispanic/ Latina women is breast cancer. This grant effort is consistent with Comadre a Comadre’s goal to help improve breast cancer outcomes for Hispanic/Latina women, who often face language and socio-cultural barriers. To help achieve the desired results for this effort, Comadre Peer Mentor Navigators will be available at Lovelace Women’s Hospital Breast Care Center and UNM Cancer Center at Lovelace Medical Center. Comadre peer mentor navigators are Hispanic/Latina breast cancer survivors, who are trained to provide emotional support and help newly-diagnosed cancer patients “navigate” through the healthcare system through available state-of-the-art information including diagnosis and treatment, cancer resources, and also to support in a culturally and linguistically competent manner. Approximately 75 percent of the funding for the CNM Komen for the Cure grant program, comes from the proceeds of the annual Komen CNM Race for the Cure to support cancer programs like Comadre. The 10th Annual event will be held Sunday, Sept. 13, at Isotopes Park. For more information or to register for the race visit: http://www.nmraceforthecure.com/Race/index.aspx?pk=1. Additionally, the 12th Annual Breast Care Symposium will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Lovelace Women’s Hospital – 4701 Montgomery Blvd. NE. For more information, please call 727.6933. For more information on Comadre a Comadre visit: http://coe.unm.edu/comadre. ###

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