Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation Receives $40,000 Grant
From Susan G. Komen Kentucky to Support Breast Cancer Patients
Donation will provide local breast cancer patients assistance with essential living expenses
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2020) – The Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation has received a $40,000 grant from Susan G. Komen Kentucky that will be used to help local breast cancer patients at Saint Joseph East with essential living expenses. The grant funds will be used to help underserved women and men who have been newly diagnosed with breast cancer or have a recurrence of the disease with everyday expenses like lodging, transportation, copays, utilities, childcare, food and telephone services.
“The costs of treatment and everyday living expenses can become a financial burden for many breast cancer patients, and they shouldn’t have to choose between paying their rent or receiving treatment,” said Leslie Buddeke Smart, CFRE, president, Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation. “We are incredibly thankful to Susan G. Komen Kentucky for their generous grant donation. We know many local individuals battling breast cancer in the Lexington community will benefit from this relief and ultimately, it will help save lives.”
“Experts estimate that if scientific research were halted today, we could still eliminate 33% of the breast cancer deaths in this region by eradicating disparities,” said Lynda Weeks, development director, Susan G. Komen Kentucky. “That is a staggering number and something we can obliterate. By collaborating with the medical community and offering financial assistance to qualified patients, we can turn this statistic around and save more lives.”
Financial barriers for eligible patients include: income less than double the federal poverty rate (Individual under $25,000/year & Family of Four under $51,500/year), Medicaid eligible, unemployed, and health care costs exceed available resources.
For more information on breast cancer services at Saint Joseph East, call 859.967.5613, or visit https://www.chisaintjosephhealth.org/east-cancer-care.
About CHI Saint Joseph Health
CHI Saint Joseph Health, part of Catholic Health Initiatives, is one of the largest and most comprehensive health systems in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with 135 locations in 20 counties, including hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies. In total, the health system serves patients in 35 counties statewide. CHI Saint Joseph Health is dedicated to building healthier communities by elevating patient care through an integrated physical and behavioral health delivery system. CHI Saint Joseph Health embodies a strong mission and faith-based heritage and works through local partnerships to expand access to care in the communities it serves.
About Saint Joseph East
Saint Joseph East is a 217-bed full service community hospital located in the southeastern section of Lexington, KY. Established in 1983, the facility serves residents of central and eastern Kentucky. At Saint Joseph East, ambulatory surgery, 24-hour emergency care and women’s health services are supported through a vast array of inpatient and outpatient programs.
About Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation
Saint Joseph Hospital Foundation supports CHI Saint Joseph Health’s drive for excellence by inspiring donors to make a tangible difference through their philanthropic investment in outstanding patient care facilities and services, the education of caregivers, advanced clinical research and improved access to quality medical care.
