Areas hospitals and health care providers were awarded thousands in grants to fight breast cancer and raise awareness about the disease.

The Boise affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure awarded $379,489 this week to breast health programs throughout southwest Idaho. For the Magic Valley and Wood River Valley regions, a total of $94,132.20 in grants was awarded that will help hospitals provide mammograms and assist with awareness efforts in the region.

St. Luke's Magic Valley Health Foundation was awarded $25,000. The foundation works with hospitals in Twin Falls, Jerome and Gooding to provide screenings as part of its 900 Women Project. The project is an effort to get 900 women screened and encourage them to return for future mammograms.

"Our goal is to ultimately get all the women coming back each year," said Susan Morris, project coordinator for 900 Women Project.

The gift will provide mammograms for women between 40 and 49 years old, an age group that's targeted because there are other programs available for women 50 and older.

The money will cover the costs of about 250 mammograms.

Minidoka Memorial Hospital received $28,537.75 for screenings and diagnostic services. That will help 75 women lacking access to mammograms, including minorities, said Kim Vega, the grant proposal writer.

The South Central Public Health District received $21,509.45. The funding will help with the staff costs of an employee who goes into communities throughout the Magic Valley and finds women who are eligible for screenings, said Sharlynn Van Tassell, a public health nurse with the district.

St. Luke's Wood River Foundation was awarded $25,000.

The money will help provide free mammograms for women in the Wood River Valley who don't have access to the care.

Officials there anticipate providing free screening and diagnostic services to 220 women in the Wood River Valley, said Megan Thomas, major gifts officer for the foundation.

It will help women who are 25 years and older who are uninsured or don't have the insurance to cover the cost, she said.

"There is definitely a need," Thomas said.

Gooding County Memorial Hospital received $4,085, which will help pay for educational services, including videos and posters.

Ben Botkin may be reached at 208-735-3238.

or bbotkin@magicvalley.com.