In 2005 the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Denver Affiliate created a program for young women to increase awareness about the  importance of breast health. This program is known as the Young Women’s Program. The program was also created to educate young women of the importance of early detection of breast cancer in women ages 18 – 34. The mission of the Young Women’s Program is to — educate and empower young women to take an active role in their own breast health, by reaching out to them through outlets which play a major role in their life.

There are four main focus areas of the young Women’s Program. They include Komen Konversations, College Outreach, Information Distribution to Spas and Boutiques, and Bookmark Distribution.

The Komen Konversation’s piece provides educational opportunities to marginalized and hard to reach ethnic communities including the African-American, Asian, and Latina communities in various settings within our 12-county service area (e.g. in homes, businesses, places of worship, etc.). Volunteers are trained to teach, contact and locate venues, and host culturally sensitive breast health and breast cancer education sessions in the community.

The focus for the outreach to colleges encompasses collaborating with college health centers, health fairs, and student organizations to get breast health information into colleges and to educate students on breast health. This program is very similar to Komen Konversations but will focus on the college campuses in our community.

The Distribution to Boutiques & Spas program focuses on distributing breast health information and other breast materials to select businesses in our service area; preferably to small, independently owned boutiques and spas which target younger women.  The information is displayed on counters, windows, and/or fitting rooms to educate customers on breast health.

The idea behind the Bookmark Distribution is very simple. The Denver Affiliate can order free bookmarks through Komen National. The bookmarks are distributed to local libraries, including those on college campuses and in underserved communities, on an ongoing basis throughout the year (quarterly). Also bookmarks could be distributed to small, locally owned bookstores in our service area.

To learn more about the Young Women’s Program or to become a volunteer, please contact Amarilis Viera-Simoes,
Director of Education & Marketing, at 303.744.2088 ext. 302 or AViera@komendenver.org.