Edgewood, KY — The Maxon Foundation, U.S. Bank, N.A., Trustee has awarded the St. Elizabeth Foundation $1.5 million for a new mobile mammography unit to help meet the needs of rural populations in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana. The grant includes $1 million for the van and the screening technology housed within it, and another $500,000 for maintenance to protect the investment for years to come.
The gift comes at a critical and exciting time, following St. Elizabeth’s recent groundbreaking on a $140 million world-class cancer center – and launch of a $30 million capital campaign to support it – which will put Northern Kentucky on the map for innovative, personalized cancer care.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women — one in eight women will develop it over the course of her lifetime,” said Carri Chandler, St. Elizabeth Foundation vice president. “Our greatest defense is early detection. And with this generous gift from The Maxon Foundation, we can be right here for even more women, helping them fight cancer in the communities where they live and work.”
The van will bring screening services to predominantly rural and medically underserved regions where access to healthcare poses yet another challenge to women already disadvantaged by low income, multiple and conflicting responsibilities, and lack of exposure to preventive care and health education.
The unit will offer digital mammography and tomosynthesis (3D mammograms) by appointment and on a walk-in basis – no doctor’s order needed – for women age 40 and older. In addition to facilitating screenings, staff on board will provide preventive health education, support and linkage to follow-up care when needed.
“Many of these women face significant barriers to obtaining healthcare – not just transportation issues, but cultural, financial and educational constraints,” said Madonna Vinicombe, St. Elizabeth’s mobile mammography program manager. “A lot of the women we screen have never even had a mammogram, even though they’re well past 40, the recommended age for annual screenings. This service is literally lifesaving for these vulnerable populations.”
The new addition to the mobile mammography fleet will be on the road by mid-2019, visiting businesses, local health departments and other venues, such as schools, churches, grocery stores, and public events. In the meantime, women can visit stelizabeth.com/mobilemammography or call (859) 655-7400 to find out when the van currently in service will be at a location near them.
Looking to bring mobile mammography to your business or organization? Call (859) 301-2031 to schedule a visit.