Danvers breast cancer support program receives $40k from Komen for the Cure

By Ryan Mooney, Globe Correspondent

The VNA Care Network and Hospice recently received a grant of $39,984 from the Massachusetts affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure for its Breast Cancer Treatment Support program.

The program, based out of VNA's Danvers office, provides nursing support services and financial assistance to women with breast cancer in Massachusetts.

"We're fortunate to receive the funding," said Karen Webber, development coordinator for VNA.

VNA is based in Eastern and Central Mass., but women in financial need throughout the state can apply for a stipend to cover anything from medication and copayments, to transportation to treatment appointments.

"The whole thing with this grant is to really help women complete their breast cancer treatment," said Deborah Corkum, public relations manager for VNA. "There's things that you don't always think about, somebody can't afford transportation to get to the hospital for chemo, or they need to get a babysitter, in addition to the copays and everything."

The grant was a part of the $900,000 that Komen  recently donated to 24 nonprofit in the state.

To learn more about the Breast Cancer Treatment Support program at VNA or apply for financial assistance, visit vnacarenetwork.org or call Joan Fitzpatrick, RN, at 888-663-3688, ext. 1326.