LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (Aug. 16, 2016) – Susan G. Komen® recently honored Alesa Garner with the “Outstanding Volunteer Award.” This national honor recognizes an individual who has worked with Komen for more than five years and has embraced the promise and core values of the Komen organization, acting as a positive agent of change throughout the course of his or her service.

Alesa Garner was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1998. As a result, she changed jobs to work for CHI St. Vincent Health Systems in their New Outlook Cancer Program, which at the time was the only center in the state to offer women diagnosed with cancer a full range of supportive services, regardless of their economic situation.

After starting CHI St. Vincent’s first Race for the Cure team, Garner became heavily involved with Komen Arkansas. She has served on the Education, Grants, Development and Race Committees, played key roles in writing the Community Profile and served on the Arkansas Board of Directors. Feeling that there was still more she could do, Garner became a certified Clinical Breast Cancer Navigator last year.

“After being diagnosed with cancer, Alesa Garner dedicated her life to helping other women battling this disease,” said Polly Davenport, CEO of CHI St. Vincent. “We are incredibly proud of her for this much-deserved national recognition and we are honored to have Alesa on the CHI St. Vincent team.”

Garner’s contribution to the global work of Susan G. Komen has empowered countless individuals and has had a great influence on breast health services in Arkansas. Due to her efforts working with Komen and the local health community, Arkansas now has 26 breast cancer service locations, all providing a full range of services that are often funded by Komen grants. Her work has further decreased the barriers to accessing breast cancer screening services.

To learn more about the breast cancer support services offered by CHI St. Vincent, please visit www.chistvincent.com.