Group awards thousands to breast cancer support

The Halt Cancer at X committee awarded more than $71,000 in grants Monday to three local organizations and one national research project.

Beth Lendrum, chairman of the Halt Cancer at X committee, presented the awards at The Rebecca Chaney Broussard Center for Nursing and Health Science at Flathead Valley Community College.

Lendrum said it was a strong year for the grant program that started four years ago. The program was formed in memory of Rebecca Broussard, founder of the Event at Rebecca Farm.

“We knew that we wanted to support all the programs that applied,” Lendrum said. “They all have a purpose.”

Through a long list of donations and fundraising efforts, Halt Cancer at X gave:

• $5,000 to the Flathead Valley Cancer Chicks, a survivors group that provides emotional and spiritual strength in daily activities. The group was formed several years ago to support younger breast cancer patients and survivors and has grown into a group for both men and women in of all ages. This year the Flathead Valley Cancer Chicks requested $4,000 but received an extra $1,000 to reach more women in need. Dina Wood accepted the check for the group.

• $5,000 to Flathead Cancer Aid Services, a group that helps bring nutritional and supplement grants to patients in need. The organization will use the grant to work with local health food and nutrient suppliers, along with Northwest Hematology and Oncology, to provide nutritional supplements through a voucher system. Kim Grindrod accepted the check on behalf of Flathead Cancer Aid Services.

• $11,500 to Cancer Support Community Kalispell, an organization created in August in affiliation with Kalispell Regional Healthcare. The group also encourages nutritional wellness but will provide cooking classes in a kitchen space at a new community house on West Washington Street that is expected to be in operation by the end of January. The grant also will be used to expand the group’s horse therapy and “Bosom Buddies” programs. Jennifer Young accepted the check.

• $50,000 to the Telomere Project at the University of Utah’s Department of Human Genetics. The project is run by Drs. Mario Capecchi and Simon Titen; Capecchi won the Nobel Science Award in 2007. The Telomere Project develops understanding of the cancer cell survival process.

“We are extremely grateful that you chose to fund our research again this year. Your passion and generosity sustains our drive, bolsters our resolve and is integral to the process of our research,” Capecchi and Titen said in a joint letter to Lendrum. “It is our sincere hope that you understand the monumental impact you have on our research and we hope to demonstrate that in the very near future. Thank you.”

Sarah Broussard, the daughter of Rebecca Broussard, created the donor organization after her mother died of breast cancer five years ago. She said the grants have grown to reach a bigger span of recipients.

“At first the focus was simply on research, but the fight against breast cancer isn’t just about finding a cure,” Broussard said. “Until that happens, people are still going to be diagnosed and we can still help them too.”

While last year’s list of grants brought $80,000, Broussard said the impacts of the donations have reached a wider group of cancer patients. This year, the money has reached programs that focus on education, nutritional, emotional support and one of the most promising research institutions in the country.

“Now it has created its own energy and has just gotten bigger,” Broussard said. “Everyone needs support.”

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.