How Power of Pink saves lives on The Murfreesboro Post

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How Power of Pink saves lives

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By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Editor

Posted: Thursday, September 13, 2012 12:00 am

How Power of Pink saves lives | Charity, Event, Nonprofit, Power of Pink, Rutherford County, Health Care, MTMC, Wine Around the Square, Our Mission in Motion, Breast Cancer

Mammography coach driver Brent Ham and Mobile Mammography Program Coordinator Lori Ward

While most charitable events raise much-needed funds for deserving nonprofit organizations, the Power of Pink uses the money raised to help women right here in Rutherford County.

Funds raised in past years have helped bring the very first mobile mammography coach to Rutherford County – taking the equipment and technology directly to where the women who need it are located.

“We know the need is great,” said Anne Davis, Wine Around the Square Event Co-Chair and Major Gifts director at the Middle Tennessee Medical Center Foundation.

“Every year, we use all of the funds we raise to make sure that any Rutherford County woman who needs one gets a screening mammogram. We need to expand our services to biopsies because once a problem is identified, the next step is a biopsy. And if you can’t afford a mammogram, you certainly can’t afford a much more expensive biopsy.”

Those mammograms are provided by the “Our Mission in Motion” mobile mammography unit, which is a mammography on wheels.

The mobile unit is a coach measuring 41 feet long, 14 feet high, 10 ½ feet wide. The coach houses a reception area, an exam room, and a state-of-the-art digital mammography room and can give approximately 25 women an initial screening in a four-hour period.

“‘Our Mission In Motion’ increases availability and affordability of screening mammography services in Rutherford County through grant funding,” said Lori Ward, “Our Mission in Motion” program coordinator.

To receive services from “Our Mission in Motion,” women come to the unit and receive the mammogram and an eight to 10 minute exam. The mammogram then is sent to a radiologist to be read.

When the results are returned, a direct letter is sent to each woman with results of the mammogram. But a phone call is placed to women who have abnormal results, along with assistance for the next level of service.

The patient is then referred to a doctor, if she does not have one already chosen for themselves, who can direct a diagnostic exam.

If the results continue to point to the likelihood of breast cancer, the woman is then sent for a biopsy.

Ten percent of all screening mammography exams result in additional follow-up. In 2011 alone, Saint Thomas Health diagnosed over 940 breast cancer cases.

“Women in our community who are underinsured or uninsured are less likely to have a mammogram or follow-up due to their fears of not being able to afford these lifesaving tests,” Ward said. “If Power of Pink could raise enough funds to cover biopsies, we can better serve the uninsured women in our community by assuring them that there is assistance available, should it get that far.”

The fund-raising goal is $120,000 this year to provide those in need with a screening mammogram, support the Power of Pink “Our Mission in Motion” mobile mammography coach and pay a portion of the nurse navigator’s salary.

Those funds will help women like Lindsey, who is a nurse at MTMC and single mother of three who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age 28.

“I was in the MTMC nursery holding a baby when I received the call,” she recalled. “I knew before he said the words that my biopsy had come back positive for cancer.”

After a bilateral mastectomy and eight rounds of chemotherapy, Lindsey had to take quite a bit of time off from work to recover. With three small children, she decided to swallow her pride and approach the Foundation for help.

The Foundation was able to provide help with her utilities and prescriptions and some gift cards for groceries. Lindsey says her children are her pride and joy, and she knew she had to fight for them and never give up.

“Miracles happen,” said Lindsey. Today, she is cancer-free and working and loving life thanks to the Power of Pink.

Tagged under Breast Cancer, Charity, Event, Health Care, MTMC, Nonprofit, Our Mission in Motion, Power of Pink, Rutherford County, Wine Around the Square

Member Opinions:

By: ajc5b_mtsu_s12 on 9/16/12
I think the Power of Pink Organization is doing an amazing thing by providing all women with the opportunity to have a breast examination. Cancer is an all-too-familiar reality to so many people, and to women in particular.
I was really surprised to read that there were 940 diagnosed cases of breast cancer alone last year.
By allowing these women the chance to be tested for cancer, the Power of Pink is also helping ensure that they will be around for as long as possible to be wives, mothers, sisters, etc.
I really hope they are able to expand their services as mentioned in the article so they not only provide mammograms, but are also able to provide financial assistance to those who unfortunately need a follow-up visit and biopsy.
I also think the concept of being tested in a mobile mammography rather than a hospital or women's clinic is innovative. Sometimes the thought of having to go to the doctor's office is enough to keep people from going.
Reading about how the people behind the Power of Pink were so supportive and helpful for Lindsey during her battle with breast cancer is only more reason to support this organization.