Central Oregon Radiology Associates, Ray’s Food Place and Sara’s Project are once again teaming up to provide free breast cancer screenings to 40 uninsured women in Central Oregon this month.
The free screenings are the result of the third annual St. Charles Health System Mammothon, which was held in October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The 2011 Mammothon challenged at least 150 St. Charles caregivers to schedule their mammograms. If that goal were met, Central Oregon Radiology Associates, Ray’s Food Place and Sara’s Project would offer free breast cancer screenings — which include mammograms, clinical breast exams and breast health education — to 40 women referred by health clinics serving the uninsured.
Some 232 St. Charles caregivers made good on the pledge.
“Every year, we’ve met or exceeded our screening goal,” said Lizzi Katz, a breast cancer survivor and community health educator at St. Charles Bend. “It’s truly wonderful to see so many of our caregivers taking care of themselves and supporting a good cause.”
Katz founded the Mammothon not only to encourage her insured colleagues at the hospital to get their breast exams, but also to help those women whose limited resources might prevent them from getting timely care. The breast cancer screenings will be offered in Bend, Prineville, Madras and Redmond on February 7, 15, 22 and 28, respectively.
“We know that early detection of cancer is important to improve survival,” Katz said. “The Mammothon encourages our caregivers to take time from their busy lives for these important tests — and helps underserved women get access to preventative care they need.”
