(Batesville, Ark).—"There just aren’t enough words to say how thankful I am." "I do not have insurance and would not be able to afford a mammogram, Thank You!" "I greatly appreciate the Komen Foundation!" These praises are from patients that received free mammography services provided by the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation and White River Health System (WRHS). Thanks to the Komen Foundation, WRHS will get to continue helping women who qualify receive the mammography services they need at no charge.
WRHS, a non-profit organization, was recently awarded $50,870 for its program entitled Komen Project, from the Arkansas Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation. With this grant, WRHS and the physicians of North Arkansas Radiology will continue to provide potentially life-saving mammography services (screening, diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, and ultrasound guided needle breast biopsies) to women in North Central Arkansas who are uninsured or underinsured.
The program primarily serves women ages 40 to 64 who cannot afford mammography services and are not covered by commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid or Arkansas BreastCare. Younger women may also qualify if their physician determines they have a significant clinical risk or family history of breast cancer. Since WRHS initiated the Komen Project, more than 1300 women have received mammography services in Batesville, Mountain View, and Cherokee Village.
"We are grateful to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation for allowing us to provide mammography services free of charge," said Angela Dugger, WRHS Assistant Director of Institutional Advancement. "Without Komen, we would not be able to provide this life saving screening to women who otherwise could not afford it."
Women who wish to participate in this project must first make an appointment with a personal primary care physician for a clinical breast exam and obtain a physician’s order for a mammogram.
"The relationship between White River Health System and the Komen for the Cure Foundation is built on the shared belief that women deserve access to the care they need in their local communities,” said Josephine Raye Rogers, WRHS Foundation Board Member and women’s health advocate. “The ongoing partnership allows WRHS and the Komen Foundation to provide lifesaving mammography screening to women in North Central Arkansas."
This is the 16th year the Komen organization has awarded grants to programs around the state. The organization granted almost $1.2 million to 24 worthy projects around Arkansas. A large amount of funding is provided by the yearly Race for the Cure events held throughout the state.
"Our grants have become more crucial than ever," said Arkansas Affiliate Executive Director Sherrye McBryde. "We are fortunate in Arkansas to have the support of so many for Race for the Cure. They enable us to work toward fulfilling our promise to end breast cancer forever."
On October 16, WRHS’ Pink Racers will race to aid the Susan G. Komen Foundation in the fight against breast cancer at the 2010 Race for the Cure. To join the team, contact Amber Neal, Project Manager, by calling (870) 262-1035 or e-mail aneal@wrmc.com.
Komen for the Cure was established as the Komen Foundation in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Thanks to more than 75,000 volunteers dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, Komen for the Cure with its Affiliate Network is the world’s largest private funder of community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment programs. Together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and donors, Komen for the Cure has raised nearly $600 million for the fight against breast cancer.
Posted: April, 19 2010