BALTIMORE — The Susan G. Komen Maryland regional breast cancer affiliate announced on Monday that they will be disaffiliating from their parent organization, Susan G. Komen.
This became effective April 1, which resulted in the closure of local operations and layoff of staff members.
"Due to these recent changes nationally, money raised locally will no longer be directly accessible through programs to people impacted by breast cancer living in Maryland," said Executive Director, Michael Jessup. "We wanted to find a way to honor our mission and give one last gift to programs we have partnered with for so many years and who are also on the front lines of the fight to end breast cancer."
The last donation after liabilities was made to the following local organizations:
- Atlantic General Hospital
- Blossoms of Hope
- Carroll Hospital Center
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
- Maintaining Active Citizens, Inc.
- Medstar Franklin Square Medical Center
- Meritus Healthcare Foundation
- Moveable Feast, Inc.
- Northwest Hospital Center, Inc.
- Nueva Vida, Support Network for Latinas with Cancer
- Saint Agnes Hospital Foundation, Inc.
- University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center
- University of Maryland Medical System Foundation
The Susan G. Komen organization says that while they are making changes to their operational structure, their mission has not changed – nor has their commitment to helping people.
"Komen’s mission has long centered on a combination of public policy advocacy at all levels of government, as well as investments in breast cancer research and patient support services to help those in our communities facing breast cancer today," said Director of Communications for Susan G. Komen, Sean Tuffnell. "That 360-degree approach has not changed. What has changed is how we provide the patient support – evolving from a model based on grants to third party organizations to a united suite of patient care services provided directly by Komen available to anyone in need of support, regardless of where they live. In this way, we are able to develop a more personal relationship with the people we serve, meeting their most immediate needs, and expanding our reach to support people we previously did not serve based on our federated structure because they resided outside of an Affiliate service area. This enables us to help women and men in rural areas with the same level of support we provide someone living in Baltimore, for example."
They said that their Patient Care Center team is comprised of those who live across the country and provides trustworthy information, guidance, and emotional support through our free Breast Care Helpline, and offers additional support, such as financial assistance and patient navigation, and soon, support for accessing screening and diagnostic exams.
