Delta Cotton Belles was established in 2007 after our founder, Beth McKnight, was diagnosed with stage IV Breast Cancer. Instead of letting the disease control her, she decided to fight it with all she had. In 2008, she and a group of close friends volunteered their time and began raising money to increase breast cancer awareness with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Research conducted by the Susan G. Komen foundation in 2007 concluded the Mississippi Delta has the highest incidences of stage III & IV breast cancer in Mississippi. The initial fundraising tennis tournament collected over $16,000. Once it was determined that the Komen Foundation could not guarantee the funds would remain in the Mississippi Delta, Beth established Delta  Cotton Belles as its own 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

As Delta Cotton Belles enters its 15th anniversary of caring and supporting women through the Mississippi Delta, our goals and services have grown and expanded with each passing year. Our all-volunteer Board of Directors has adhered to a philosophy of flexibility and innovation to allow for new services and programs, always in response to the unmet needs of women and breast cancer patients within our target community.

Currently, the Delta Cotton Belles is focused on the following key goals:

• To promote breast health awareness through education.
• To provide clinical breast screenings and mammograms for the working uninsured and under-insured in our region.
• To provide services not covered by insurance for individuals with breast cancer.
• To provide support programs for individuals with breast cancer.

Delta Cotton Belles provides services to individuals who are working and are uninsured or under-insured in eleven (11) counties throughout the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta including Washington, Bolivar, Humphreys, Grenada, Carroll, Issaquena, Sharkey, Sunflower, Leflore and Coahoma counties in Mississippi and Chicot County in Arkansas.

Delta Cotton Belles provides services to individuals who are working and are uninsured and under-insured in eleven (11) counties through the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta regions.

Our service area consists of the following:

• Washington County, Mississippi
• Sunflower County, Mississippi
• Leflore County, Mississippi
• Bolivar County, Mississippi
• Sharkey County, Mississippi
• Issaquena County, Mississippi
• Humphreys County, Mississippi
• Carroll County, Mississippi
• Grenada County, Mississippi
• Coahoma County, Mississippi
• Chicot County, Arkansas

Our Board of Directors evaluates needs and requests on a case-by- case basis from individuals outside of our service area.

The Delta Cotton Belles is governed by a 14 member all-volunteer board of directors who represent a broad cross section of community leaders throughout Washington County.  These directors are servant leaders who commit their time and service to help enhance their community.

Delta Cotton Belles is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and as such, the organization conducts fundraisers through the year to support the programming and services offered to individuals throughout our region.

Delta Cotton Belles is thankful for all of our donors, supporters and funders who have helped in our efforts over the past 15 years! We are especially thankful for the grants we have received for 2017 from non-profit organizations, which help offset our Wrapped in Pink services.

Our Wrapped in Pink program focuses on breast cancer patients in eleven (11) Delta counties. A number of services encompass our Wrapped in Pink program, including Beth’s Blessing Bag, which is customized to meet based on the client’s course of treatment. For clients undergoing chemotherapy, Chemo Care Packs are provided which includes queasy drops, sleep cap, and Who Needs Hair by Sallie Burdine. Following a mastectomy, clients can receive post-operative camisoles, mastectomy bras, breast prostheses, wigs, annual replacement bras and lymphadema sleeves at no cost.

All clients have the opportunity to request transportation assistance, which helps reduce financial burdens often associated with numerous trips to doctor appointments and treatment.

In 2016, we began collaborating with a local cancer center to offer a “Heads Up” day, which offers clients the opportunity to receive scarves and hats while undergoing chemotherapy. To help us celebrate our victories, all of our clients are invited to attend our Survivors Celebration Day to hear an inspirational speaker while visiting and networking with other breast cancer survivors.

Both of these grants have allowed us to continue our outreach efforts to women throughout our community as we work to assist, support and encourage women through the breast cancer journey.

There are many ways to support Delta Cotton Belles throughout the year in our mission to serve individuals throughout our community, and our Board of Directors is always looking for ways to expand our funding stream to ensure the future of viability and sustainability for our organization and the clients we serve on a daily basis.

Our recent IRS Form 990 are posted below.