April 21, 2017 – Last month the Coastal Georgia Affiliate of Susan
G. Komen awarded a $50,000 grant to Southeast Georgia Health System for
the Mammograms in Motion project, during its annual Grant Awards Luncheon.
Led by the Health System, Mammograms in Motion is a collaboration with
area physicians, community health centers and county health departments
to provide breast health education and outreach, screening mammograms
and diagnostic breast work-up services to uninsured and
low income
individuals residing in Brantley, Camden, Glynn, Long and McIntosh counties.
High-risk patients are eligible for breast MRI scans and MRI guided breast
biopsies. While each of Southeast Georgia Health System’s three
breast imaging locations
participate
in the project, what makes Mammograms in Motion special is the use of
the Wellness On Wheels mobile health vehicle to reach individuals in rural
areas with limited access to health care and health education.
“We’re thrilled to receive the grant for the seventh consecutive
year from the Coastal Georgia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen,” says
DelRia Baisden, vice president, Southeast Georgia Health System. “Because
of the availability of the grant funds, individuals who qualify for participation
in Mammograms in Motion have no out of pocket costs for these services.
Recipients who receive screening mammograms and need to return for follow-up
care also receive their additional diagnostic services paid for by the
grant.”
Services vary per patient, and advanced diagnostic studies and stereotactic
biopsies are provided based on the results of the patient’s screening
mammogram. Since inception in 2011, Mammograms in Motion has provided
more than 1,600 mammograms, ultrasounds, physician visits and biopsies
to patients who otherwise would not have had access to care for a host
of reasons including out of pocket costs, transportation and lack of access to care.
“Each month in our service area, 12 women are diagnosed with late-stage
breast cancer,” shared Suzanne Kirk, board president, Coastal Georgia
Affiliate of Susan G. Komen. “We stress the need for screenings
for underserved women in our community because early detection saves lives.”
Funding for community grants is generated through Coastal Georgia Affiliate
fundraising, with the majority from its signature event, the annual Savannah
Race for the Cure®, and
third party
community events like the Rally for the Cure golf tournament held at Sea
Palms on St. Simons Island. The 2017 Savannah Race for the Cure is scheduled
for April 22 in historic Savannah’s Ellis Square. For more information
about the race, visit komencoastalgeorgia.org.
The Health System previously received grants for $40,000 in 2011, $45,000
in 2012, $50,000 in 2013, and $60,000 each in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
For more information about the Southeast Georgia Health System Breast Care
Center or the Mammograms in Motion grant, call 912-466-5234 or visit sghs.org
and click on “Services.”