Program eliminates cultural barriers to support breast cancer awareness and prevention

Statistically speaking

In Wisconsin, 5,270 women are anticipated to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019. Of those, 740 will die from this dreaded diagnosis.

Waukesha County has the third highest breast cancer incidence rate in southeastern Wisconsin. In addition, breast cancer has been shown to exhibit significant racial and ethnic disparities. For example, for Hispanic/Latina women, a breast cancer diagnosis results in a significantly poorer survivor rate than Caucasian women.

Improving the odds

In 2019, the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County (WGF) awarded a $15,000 grant to the ProHealth Hispanic Health Resource Center for its Breast Health Education and Navigation program. The program focus is to help reduce highly preventable deaths for at-risk and underserved Hispanic/Latina women in Waukesha County. With a delivery model focused on addressing cultural barriers, the program centers on breast cancer education, screening and treatment.

The program offers navigation through the health care system, plus education/outreach to 300 individuals, access to 125 breast screenings/mammograms, diagnostic tests, and breast cancer treatments. Additionally, the team of breast health experts works diligently to eliminate barriers, such as linguistic, cultural, lifestyle and financial, to help women access these services.

With the help of the WGF grant, the ProHealth Hispanic Health Resource Center plans to double their resources to connect more Hispanic women in Waukesha County to essential preventive breast health services. In addition, the money will connect more women who have abnormal results or a cancer diagnosis to care coordination, delivered by health experts exercising the greatest sensitivity throughout all follow-up services and critical treatments.

In 2019, thanks for the generosity of our donors, the Women and Girls Fund awarded grants totaling $125,000 to area agencies delivering innovative programs that achieve results and empower Waukesha County women and girls. Since its inception 15 years ago, the WGF has given more than $1 million in grants. Positive change is happening.

Help us continue the momentum and make a gift to the Women and Girls Fund. Today more than ever, your generous contribution can help us improve the odds, one grant at a time .

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Your gift to the Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, combined with the generosity of many other donors, helps improve the odds in Waukesha County.

Why We Give

"Raised Grain was looking for an organization that would have tremendous impact in our community. The WGF helps strengthen our community, one woman at a time. A community where every member has the same opportunities to dream--and achieve those dreams--will ensure that we have a vibrant city and county for years to come. Another extremely important factor in our decision is that the WGF has solid leadership and is sound financially, so that our contributions will be put to good use in the community."

~ Nick Reistad

View our video to see how we are making a difference one grant at a time.

The Women and Girls Fund of Waukesha County, established in 2004, seeks to aid and enrich the lives of women and girls so they become thriving residents of their communities. Since 2005, the Women and Girls Fund has awarded more than $1,000,000 to nearly 60 non-profit organizations that promote the health, well-being, education and empowerment of women and girls of all ages.

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