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Deaconess Classic for Women Again Aiding Breast Cancer Screenings

Posted on: Friday, 6 May 2005, 21:00 CDT

Mammograms can make a difference, and last year ECHO Community Health Care was able to distribute vouchers for about 250 of the breast cancer screenings, provided by proceeds from the Deaconess Classic for Women.

"Through the mammograms that Deaconess provides, we had 12 abnormalities found with successful treatment and two breast cancers detected and treated," said Carol Collier-Smith, ECHO Community Health Care director.

The cancers were detected early and the women are still receiving care, she added. "There's no doubt in my mind these women would not have had mammograms otherwise because there weren't any other dollars for them."

Uninsured women, regardless of income, can qualify for vouchers, which also are available at some other clinics and physician offices.

"It's a fabulous opportunity for us to pass on to patients," Collier-Smith said. "What we're trying to do at ECHO is provide the preventative health care as well as the acute care."

Since its inception, the Deaconess Classic for Women's Health has raised more than $1 million and provided more than 6,000 mammograms and 100 pelvic ultrasounds for Tri-State women in need.

This year's 11th annual classic, an all women's golf scramble, will be held Monday at the Evansville Country Club and tickets are going fast. The event has sold out every year since 1995, when it began.

In addition to providing diagnostic procedures, proceeds from the classic have been used to purchase a stereotactic breast biopsy system, making biopsies less invasive and faster than the surgical alternative. Funds also have benefited national breast cancer research trials at Deaconess.

Source: Evansville Courier & Press

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