Hunterdon Health Foundation receives grant to expand breast health services for underserved women
HUNTERDON COUNTY, N.J. — Hunterdon Health Foundation has received a $5,000 grant from the Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Foundation to help expand breast health outreach and patient navigation services for underserved women in the region.
According to Hunterdon Health, the funding will support outreach efforts focused on low-income, uninsured and Hispanic/Latino women who face barriers to healthcare access, including transportation and language challenges.
Officials said the program is designed to improve early breast cancer detection through community engagement, education and screening assistance.
Hunterdon Health noted that Hunterdon County has an early-stage breast cancer incidence rate of 162 cases per 100,000 residents, exceeding both state and national averages.
The grant will help fund the work of a Community Health Worker who will identify patients overdue for screenings through electronic health records and provide bilingual assistance with scheduling and follow-up care.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Connie Dwyer Breast Cancer Foundation for their support and partnership,” said Kim Blanda, RN, Director of Community Relations at Hunterdon Health. “This grant allows us to deepen our commitment to the women in our community who face the greatest obstacles to care. By providing the necessary resources and navigation, we can ensure that every woman, regardless of her financial or social situation, has access to the life-saving breast-health services she deserves.”
According to Hunterdon Health, the initiative is expected to serve approximately 1,500 individuals over the next year through workshops, health fairs and breast cancer screening programs.
Officials said the program is part of Hunterdon Health’s broader effort to improve access to healthcare services throughout the community.
