Susan G. Komen and Pathway Genomics Sign National Agreement

Susan G. Komen has announced a national partnership agreement with global clinical laboratory Pathway Genomics to fund community breast cancer education and outreach programs in five cities nationwide.

The partnership includes funding for education programs and/or sponsorship of Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure® events in San Diego, Los Angeles, Denver and Seattle, along with funding for grants to reach medically underserved women in Washington, D.C., which has the highest death rate from breast cancer of any city in the United States.

“The Susan G. Komen organization does an extraordinary job serving uninsured, low-income and medically underserved women and men of our communities, and we’re delighted to help as long-term partners in that mission,” said Jim Plante, founder and CEO of Pathway Genomics.

Pathway Genomics also provides support for Komen’s Honoring the Promise event in Washington, D.C., which raises funds for programs in the Washington, D.C., area, and for Komen’s annual Leadership Conference, bringing together Komen Affiliates for education and strategic planning.

Komen in 2013 provided funds for more than half a million screenings for low-income and uninsured women, and helped more than 50,000 women and families with funds for treatment, medical supplies, education and emergency living expenses. Komen’s education programs reach millions each year through community based programs and information on Komen’s website, komen.org.

“Pathway Genomics’ partnership builds on our view that we can help significant numbers of women, and solve important problems in breast cancer, through partnerships,” said Komen President and CEO Judith A. Salerno, M.D., M.S. “Pathway Genomics’ partnership will allow us to reach the most vulnerable women and men in our communities to provide educational programs and help and support for those facing the disease.”

Earlier this year, Pathway Genomics has launched its next-generation sequencing and deletion/duplication analysis, BRCATrue™, which can detect mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, the genes linked to breast, ovarian and other types of cancer.

The company also launched its BRCA One for One™ program providing up to $10 million in free tests by donating one test to a person in need for every qualified BRCATrue test ordered.