The Upstate SC Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has expanded its service area from 11 to 22 counties and changed the name to the SC Mountains to Midlands Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with more than $1.3 billion invested to date.

The South Carolina Mountains to Midlands Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has raised more than $4 million since its inception in 1995. Seventy– five percent of money raised has been invested in its local service area and is used to conduct breast cancer education, screening, and treatment programs. The other 25 percent has gone to Susan G. Komen for the Cure to fund national breast cancer research programs.

This year, South Carolina Mountains to Midlands Susan G. Komen for the Cure is providing grant monies to 13 programs that are serving more than 5,000 women in 11 counties. With the service areas increasing to 22 counties, even more women will have access to education, screening, and treatment. The SC Mountains to Midlands Affiliate is currently soliciting grants for innovative projects in the areas of breast health services otherwise not available to the medically underserved populations of Abbeville, Aiken, Anderson, Cherokee, Chester, Chesterfield, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Kershaw, Lancaster, Laurens, Lexington, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens, Richland, Saluda, Spartanburg and Union counties. The deadline for grant applications is December 18, 2009. For more information, please visit: www.komenupstatesc. org.

The SC Mountains to Midlands Affiliate is pleased to announce a $20,000 kick–off donation by Palmetto Alarm, LLC. Palmetto Alarm, LLC is a locally owned company involving security alarms, home theater rooms, structured wiring, and camera surveillance. Several employees and friends have been affected by breast cancer. In January 2009, Palmetto Alarm committed to raise $5,000 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The sales staff gave up $25 of each sale, and they are pleased to report they raised $20,000 for the SC Mountains to Midlands Affiliate.

With the new name comes a new face. Krista Ellis Bannister, a Columbia native, has recently been hired as the executive director. Bannister is an eight– year breast cancer survivor and mother of three daughters. Bannister is passionate about guiding the Komen affiliate in its mission to eradicate breast cancer forever.

“We are delighted to have Krista Ellis Bannister join the South Carolina Mountains to Midlands Komen Affiliate as executive director. Krista’s enthusiasm and passion for the cause will make her a wonderful leader for our dedicated team,” said Suzanne Hofford, board president of the SC Mountains to Midlands Affiliate. “Krista is committed to ensuring that women are educated in early detection for breast cancer and are receiving appropriate screening and treatment. These procedures will improve outcomes and save lives of women in South Carolina.”

For more information on the SC Mountains to Midlands Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure or to view our press kit, visit our website at www.ko-menupstatesc. org or call 803-730- 9288.