The ShredCancer program, which was implemented in 2011, was the first of its kind in the country. ShredCancer asks customers to pay a certain amount over the company’s standard charge, and then AccuShred matches the amount and sends the total on a quarterly basis to Komen.
“A woman has a one-in-eight chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime,” said Nate Segall, president of AccuShred. “These odds are much too high, and unnecessary in an age when proper screening can detect breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. We believe every woman should have access to breast cancer screening. When we were looking at ways to give back to our community, we wanted to work with an organization that makes a significant contribution to our community, and our local Komen affiliate seemed like a wonderful fit.”
According to Mary Westphal, executive director of Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio, the funds donated over the last five years have supported more than 500 mammograms for uninsured and underserved women in Komen Northwest Ohio’s 24-county service area.
“The commitment and sustainability of AccuShred’s program has been incredible,” said Westphal. “Sometimes organizations have a lot of initial enthusiasm, but are unable to see their programs through. AccuShred’s donations have been consistent and generous, allowing us to save lives locally through early breast cancer diagnosis and nationally through life-saving breast cancer research grants.”
Since 1989, death rates from breast cancer have dropped 39 percent for those diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Since 2007, breast cancer death rates have been steady in women younger than 50, but have decreased in older women. These decreases are believed to be the result of finding breast cancer earlier through screening, improved treatments and increased awareness.
About Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $1 billion in research and provided nearly than $3 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment, and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Supporting those efforts, the Susan G. Komen Northwest Ohio Affiliate has invested more than $12 million in local breast cancer programs and more than $3 million in national research. Visit www.komennwohio.org or call 1-877-604-CURE (2873) for further information.
About AccuShred
AccuShred began operation in 2002 as the area’s first AAA NAID-Certified data destruction firm. The company provides both on and off-site document destruction, hard drive destruction and is an EPA approved vendor for electronic waste recycling. AccuShred is a subsidiary of the State Paper and Metal Company.
Area businesses interested in participating or learning more about AccuShred services or the ShredCancer program can contact AccuShred toll-free at 800-747-3341 or 419-244-SHRED (7473), or via the company’s website at www.AccuShred.net.