This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I was disappointed in the Sept. 28 Opinion section article by Anne Loeser, her portrayal of the funds utilized by Susan G. Komen Foundation and the fact she didn't take time to research and develop a broader picture of the critical programs funded by the donations to Komen of Utah.
While billions of dollars are spent on research by many organizations, what is often forgotten is funding for people who need direct services.
PERKIE Travels is a transportation program for residents of Carbon and Emery Counties overseen by Active Re-Entry. Radiation treatments are not available locally, so residents must travel to Provo daily for treatment. More than 500 individuals have received the benefit of this daily transportation program.
PERKIE Travels receives invaluable support from both Carbon and Emery Counties and our local citizens, yet would not be able to provide this service without the Komen of Utah funding for the past 14 years. At the inception of the service we requested funding from other cancer fund-raising entities, only to have the request fall on deaf ears.
Do we wish there was a cure for cancer? You bet. But we are faced with trying to provide a much needed service to help people get their treatments now.
Please continue to support Susan G. Komen Utah events, which are trying to be at least part of the solution in saving lives for a very important program in rural Utah.
Nancy Bentley
Price