PITTSBURGH – The Greater Pennsylvania Affiliate of Susan G. Komen® is permanently closing.
Both the Pittsburgh and Scranton locations are affected and will be closed by the end of the year. Susan G. Komen National Headquarters is centralizing all operations, thereby eliminating the need for local affiliates.
The Northeast PA Affiliate was formed in 1991 and held its first Race for the Cure that same year. Organized by the National Council of Jewish Women, the first Pittsburgh Race for the Cure was held in 1993, and Pittsburgh became an affiliate of the national organization in 2005.
In 2018, the Northeast PA and Pittsburgh Affiliates merged to form the Greater PA Affiliate, serving 53 counties in the state.
Through the support of area corporations, individuals and media partners, Komen Greater PA raised $46 million for community education, screening and treatment initiatives and $10 million for national breast cancer research.
The funds provided patient navigators at local hospitals, educational programming and the life-saving Mammogram Voucher Program.
Much of the national research funding was re-invested in the region, supporting local research initiatives as well as two Komen scholars at the University of Pittsburgh.
“For three decades, the community has helped us to deliver services to individuals who were touched by breast cancer,” says Kathy Purcell, MSW, chief executive officer, Komen Greater PA.
“Every contribution helped, in some way, to ease the journey of family, friends and neighbors, and we are enormously grateful for the heartfelt support shown to our affiliate over the years. Your support of the Greater PA Affiliate of Susan G. Komen saved lives.”
As responsible stewards of the community’s financial support, the Greater PA Affiliate has contributed its remaining funds to five nonprofit organizations within the Affiliate’s service area who advance the work of breast cancer education, screening and treatment.
Adagio Health, Cancer Caring Center, Our Clubhouse, Candy’s Place – Cancer and Wellness Center and Northeast Regional Cancer Institute are long-time partners of the Greater PA Affiliate and each organization has committed to using the funds to serve the local breast cancer community.
Details of how Komen’s national headquarters will move forward with services and local events, including the Pittsburgh and Scranton Race for the Cure events, are still to be determined.
The Komen Mission remains unchanged, and the national organization will continue to address community needs through national programs, including the Treatment Assistance Program that provides financial assistance for people undergoing breast cancer treatment, and the national hotline (1-877-GO KOMEN). Komen will continue its support of breast cancer research and advocacy.
“We are proud of our work,” Purcell says. “Although there are still some details of this transition to be determined, there is one thing I know for certain: the Greater PA Affiliate of Susan G. Komen would not have flourished without your support.”
