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Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen elects new officers, board members

by jmaloni

Press release

Tue, Jul 9th 2013 12:30 am

Announces small grants funding

The Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen has elected Althea E. Luehrsen chairwoman of its board of directors. Luehrsen is the executive director of Leadership Buffalo Inc., and was previously assistant vice president for corporate and foundation relations at the University at Buffalo.

Luehrsen is a graduate of SUNY Empire, where she teaches as an adjunct. In addition, she is the president/owner of Strategic Solutions Group. Luehrsen resides in Williamsville.

"I have been involved with the WNY Affiliate since 2001 in a variety of capacities," she said. "Now having the opportunity to chair the board and work with the tremendous staff and hundreds of volunteers as we move our affiliate into this new chapter is both an honor and a privilege."

James J. Kincaid was elected vice chair. He formerly served as the treasurer of the organization. Kincaid is CPA/partner at Lougen, Valenti, Bookbinder & Weintraub LLP. Kincaid is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia, member of American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and resides in Orchard Park with wife, Debbie, and three sons.

Donna E. Perna was elected secretary/treasurer. She is the vice president and general manager of Transit Lanes. Perna is a graduate of Canisius College and resides in Williamsville.

Komen WNY also named to its board: Ermelinda Bonaccio, M.D., director of mammography at Roswell Park Cancer Institute; Scott M. Philbin, litigation attorney at Bond, Schoeneck & King; and Mary C. Szabat, consultant with Beltz Ianni & Associates.

•The following small grants were awarded for the first funding cycle of 2013-14:

Kevin Guest House - SGK Lodging Scholarship. This scholarship will pay for 200 nights of lodging at Kevin Guest House for out-of-town breast cancer patients (and their caregivers). Located next to the Buffalo-Niagara Medical Campus, Kevin Guest House is a "hospital hospitality house" that eases the travel burden for patients seeking medical care away from home.

United Memorial Medical Center - 2013 Pink Hatters Breast Cancer Event. This grant will help fund the annual Pink Hatters breast cancer education event in Batavia on Oct. 10. More than 400 men and women attend to celebrate breast cancer survivors and learn about the importance of breast health.

Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Foundation - Bring Someone You Love for a Mammogram. Funds for this grant will go to the "Shout it Out Pink" gospel concert and "Pink Dance" in Niagara Falls this October. Dates will be announced shortly. Both events are part of a month-long education and screening campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Research Foundation of SUNY on behalf of UB - Concerned About You: Breast Cancer Awareness Walk & Wellness Event. Grant funds will be used to organize a free breast cancer and wellness event on Sept. 21 in Masten Park on Buffalo's east side. There will be a 1.5-mile walk, food, and educational information. The cancer services program, along with ECMC's mobile mammography unit, will also be on-site to schedule mammograms.

For more information about Komen WNY, visit www.komenwny.org or call 716-332-2481.

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