Shore Regional Cancer Center, an affiliate of Shore Health System, has been awarded two grants from the Maryland Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure for the 2009-2010 grant period.
Komen Maryland allocated $66,000 to Shore Regional Breast Center for the “STEPS to Maintaining a Continuum of Breast Health Services on the Mid-Shore” program. The objective of STEPS, which stands for Screening and Treatment Programs, is to improve access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment for medically underserved and minority women in the Mid-Shore region of Maryland. The program also provides these services to women who are uninsured or underinsured and not covered by the Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offered by the State of Maryland.
The STEPS grant enables Shore Regional Breast Center to continue to conduct community outreach programs to African American, Latina, and uninsured and limited income women in Talbot, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Caroline counties. A nurse practitioner provides clinical breast exams and screening mammograms. Case management for women needing diagnosis and treatment is also provided.
Komen Maryland also awarded the Cancer Center $46,000, the second installment in a two-year grant for CRAFT – Clinical Research Affiliates Funding Trials. The CRAFT grant focuses on enhancing support and accrual to National Cancer Institute sponsored breast cancer clinical trials. The Shore Health System project director is Susan T. Forlifer, MD. Sharon Richter, BSN, RN, CCRC, clinical research nurse for Shore Regional Cancer Center, educates physicians, members of the community and potential candidates about clinical trials and the benefits of participation. Richter helps to identify potential research participants and oversees the enrollment process and data management.
The Komen CRAFT grant funds a part-time clinical research assistant, Lisa Hill, BS, MT, who assists with managing data for over 50 women who are currently enrolled in breast cancer clinical trials. The Shore Health System cancer program currently has eight breast cancer clinical treatment trials open for enrollment. The CRAFT grant is also used to increase participation of all eligible women, with a continuing focus on educating members of the African American community about clinical research and the need for involvement.
For more information about clinical trials and the CRAFT grant, contact Sharon Richter at
410-820-6800, ext. 108 or srichter@shorehealth.org. For information about STEPS grant services, contact Mary Jane Flynn, BSN, RN, ONC, Nurse Coordinator, Shore Regional Breast Center, at 410-822-1000, ext. 5411 or mjflynn@shorehealth.org. Learn more about Shore Regional Cancer Center services online at www.shorehealth.org/services/rcc.shtml.