Were you aware that Methodist Hospitals is making great strides in the fight against breast cancer? It all begins with awareness. Knowing the early warning signs and catching cancer in the beginning stages can mean the difference between tragedy and survival. That is why Methodist hosted a Breast Cancer Center Open House.
“This open house brings about awareness for the equipment we have. It shows the new technology we use and lets women in the community know that there is help out here,” said Carlisa Primm, a Registered Ultrastenographer for Methodist. She and her team were running one of the many booths at the open house.
Marjory Gressor, a member of the Pink Ribbon Society and cancer survivor, said that the open house “makes everyone aware. Too many people are dying from this disease. We need to start somewhere to stop the spread.”
Her fellow member, Valerie Kleinedler, is also a survivor. They said it was important to the Pink Ribbon Society to be involved. “We’re both doing the same thing,” she said. “If we can send someone to Methodist then we have saved someone.”
Paint the Town Pink partnered with Methodist Hospital for many of the same reasons, but the biggest deciding factor for them was the Mobile Mammography. Methodist just began their fundraising for the Mobile, which when purchased will be able to travel in a one hour radius around the hospital.
“There are so many women who don’t have access to the care they need,” said representative Stephanie Madison. “(The Mobile Mammography) is a way to get it to them, everywhere. We want to be a part of that.”
Jennifer Sanders, the Women’s Center Supervisor at Methodist, expressed great gratitude for all the help Paint the Town Pink has given them. Paint the Town Pink does a whole month of Breast Cancer awareness events in Whiting, and they even decorate the whole main street in pink to remind everyone of the fight. They raised over $13,000 for the Methodist Foundation. She said that the Pink Ribbon Society has been spectacular as well.
Sanders said. “Donate for funds so that women can get mammograms. Donate any way, shape, or form. You can even help with research. Whatever you can do to help, it does not have to be monetary.”
Even with the amazing technology Methodist has, like leading the way with 3D mammographies, help is still needed. Awareness is still needed. Why is it so important?
“Survival,” said senior techncian Rita Rendina. “Early treatment means you are able to survive.”
That is what saved Wendy Davis. “I was diagnosed in 2013 with breast cancer. I come to everything I can so I can keep up with what is going on with my body. I am not a failure, I am a winner.”
More women could win the fight, if only they were aware of the risks, dangers, and symptoms associated with breast cancer. If only they knew what options are out there for each and every one of us. That is what Methodist’s Open House was all about.
“We all love our mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts… It’s our duty to protect our loved ones,” said Sanders, “This is a simple way- a small gesture we can all pay forward.”