JDC and Susan G. Komen for the Cure© expand five-year women’s health initiative taking major steps in sharing life-saving information and services throughout the world.

On May 11, 2009, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), in partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure©, the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network of breast cancer survivors and activists, expanded JDC’s Women’s Health Empowerment Program into Montenegro, which was once part of Yugoslavia, and declared independence from Serbia in 2006.

Breast cancer is a leading killer among women in Former Yugoslavia. Montenegro is a small country with a population of 680,000 people, and 140,000 are women older than 40. About 250 women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year, and the number of deaths is about 100. Most breast cancer cases are diagnosed at later stages. There are only nine mammogram machines in Montenegro, the quality of mammography is low, and medical experts are insufficiently trained. JDC and Komen held the first Peer Support Training and seminar for survivors in Podgorica on June 11th to 13th.

“The expansion of our partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure© gives our Women’s Health Empowerment Program even more strength in the battle against breast cancer, particularly in countries like Montenegro where the need is urgent,” said Steven Schwager, JDC Chief Executive Officer. “œThe new program encourages early detection of breast cancer through educational and psychosocial activities, assists breast cancer survivors, and works with local government and medical professionals in the fight against breast cancer.”

The initiative in Montenegro is a direct result of the April 2008 JDC-Komen sponsored First Regional Breast Cancer Conference for Former Yugoslavia held in Sarajevo. On May 18th and May 19th, JDC-Komen hosted the Second National Breast Cancer Conference in Moscow. Breast cancer is the most common cause of death among Russian women, ages 45 to 55, and diagnosed in 50,000 Russian women every year. In fact, almost every second woman in Russia who is diagnosed with breast cancer dies.

At the Moscow conference, more than 150 participants, including medical professionals, staff from the Ministry of Health and Social Development, scientists, breast cancer survivors and activists, focused on the importance of early detection as a catalyst to reduce mortality rates, ways to improve treatment, doctor-patient communication, rehabilitation and social services. Conference outcomes addressed breast cancer issues and recommendations to formalize life-saving measures for women in Russia.

In Georgia, over 2,500 people gathered on May 10th for the first-ever Race for the Cure©, a partnership between Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Women Wellness Care Alliance HERA, and sponsored by JDC. This event brought awareness and much-needed information on screening and early detection to women throughout the region. Funds raised will be used to provide mammography services to the women of West Georgia.

“We are in the early days of a global cancer tsunami, with more than 1.3 million women facing a breast cancer in the coming year alone,” said Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.“œIt is only through global collaboration that we can help women everywhere break their silence and take control of their health. Education, awareness and early screening are proven, effective tools in this global battle to save women’s lives in Former Yugoslavia, Russia and around the world.”

The five-year JDC-Komen partnership has increased public awareness, health programs and vital information sharing. In 2004, JDC partnered with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to re-launch a program in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2006, JDC’s Women’s Health Empowerment Program was expanded to Hungary. Breast cancer is one of Hungary’s deadliest cancers among women. In 2007, the partnership expanded into Russia. Outcomes from the 2009 Moscow conference are currently being shared worldwide. Following the First Breast Cancer Regional Conference for Former Yugoslavia in Sarajevo in April 2008, JDC-Komen decided to expand activities into Montenegro in May 2009.