Our Community Need

The Komen Montana Community Profile is a statewide needs assessment conducted every two years. The goal of the Community Profile is to identify gaps in services, improve breast health services, and be more aware of populations most in need of breast health services.

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2011 Executive Summary

The 2011 Community Profile guides the Montana Affiliate Susan G. Komen for the Cure® (Komen Montana) priorities as an affiliate. By identifying specific groups or areas of the state not benefiting from early screening and effective treatment, we hope to increase the likelihood of Montana residents surviving breast cancer. Identifying these target areas will allow us to direct grant funding and education to effective programs and services.

This Community Profile summarizes what is known about breast cancer in the State of Montana and guides the grant-making, education, and policy work of Komen Montana. It draws upon the work of many other organizations and institutions who research topics related to breast cancer nationally and in our state. This Community Profile is updated every two years.

Komen Montana was legally formed in 1999, four years after the first Montana Komen Race for the Cure^®,  by a group of dedicated breast cancer survivors, breast health advocates, and others who continued to work tirelessly as volunteers. In 2007, the Affiliate hired its first executive director. The Komen Montana Affiliate is a separate, distinct legal entity, working with national organization of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in pursuit of a common mission. Headquarters is charged with carrying out the mission on a national and international level and coordinating the efforts of all Komen Affiliates across the country. Komen Montana is charged with carrying out our Promise throughout the State of Montana – Our promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. 

Komen Montana began raising money and distributing grants in Montana after holding its first Race in 1995. Over the past sixteen years, $1,199,418 in grants has been awarded to grantees to provide education, screening and diagnosis.  The largest fundraising event is the annual Komen Race for the Cure^® held in the Capital City of Helena in May.  Additionally, groups raise money through events that include an archery weekend “Shoot for the Cure”, a pink boat rental “Boat for the Cure”, and “Pack the Place in Pink” held at a cross town volleyball game in Billings.  Komen Montana also receives funds through National sponsor programs.    

All funds raised by Komen Montana are used to advance our Promise. Of each dollar, 75 cents is awarded to grantees in Montana and 25 cents funds breast cancer research, research that benefits all state residents.   

Montana is the fourth largest state in the U.S. with a land area of 145,550 square miles and 6.2 people living per square mile. By operating in such a large land area with a low population, Komen Montana realized that it needed to address the issue of providing as much information as possible to residents from Libby to Broadus and Plentywood to Dillon. In the beginning, the greatest need was for breast cancer screening. To address this need, the Komen Montana focused on education, which is the heart of fulfilling Komen’s mission, while providing grants for screening and diagnostic vouchers. Women could receive vouchers through state programs.