“Don’t Miss your Mammogram!” – PBCC, Sen. Ward encourage all women to schedule breast cancer screenings
(Philadelphia, Pa.) – The PA Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC) is proud to partner with Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-39) and Fox Chase Cancer Center, a part of the Temple University Health System, in urging all Pennsylvania women to schedule annual mammograms that could save their lives. Studies show that nearly 60 percent of women missed their mammograms at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to delayed breast cancer diagnoses. As part of a statewide initiative, the PBCC and Senator Kim Ward developed a video PSA campaign to remind women that screenings are a necessity.
“There are women living with breast cancer right now in our state and they don’t even know it. The only way to be sure, is to schedule a mammogram,” said PBCC President and Founder Pat Halpin-Murphy. “When breast cancer is found at its earliest stage, the 5-year survival rate is 99 percent. We are honored to be joined on this initiative with Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, a breast cancer survivor, in sharing the importance of early detection and to offer FREE mammograms with Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.”
Senator Kim Ward recently finished her own breast cancer treatment and is now dedicated to reminding other women of the critical importance of regular mammograms.
“In 2020, my mammogram was late because of COVID-19, just like so many other women in our state. I rescheduled it and that’s when my doctor told me I had breast cancer,” said Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward. “I am excited to be working with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and Fox Chase Cancer Center on this initiative to share, first-hand, the importance of mammograms and early detection. Together, we hope to ensure that all Pennsylvania women have affordable access to breast cancer screenings that could save their lives. Let’s get screened, Pennsylvania!”
Senator Kim Ward was joined at the news conference by PA Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-2), a longtime breast cancer advocate.
“Pennsylvania is home to world-class healthcare facilities like Temple University Health System and Fox Chase Cancer Center, but having these world class institutions in our community means nothing if people are unable to access the care offered,” said Senator Christine Tartaglione. “The free mammograms that Temple is offering via the Fox Chase Cancer Center Mobile Screening Unit have the potential to save the lives of women that are currently living with breast cancer but are unaware due to the lack of access to quality and affordable health care.”
Senator Kim Ward and Halpin-Murphy today announced plans for a no-cost Get Your Mammogram Event to be held Friday, April 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the future site of Temple Health’s women’s hospital located at 1331 East Wyoming Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. Mammograms will be conducted inside Fox Chase Cancer Center’s Mobile Screening Unit made possible by Flyers Charities. All screening mammograms will be offered at no cost to women for this event only. In addition, all women who make an appointment for a mammogram and are screened at the event will be receive a $25 Walmart gift card from the PBCC. Mammograms will be offered as part of a broader health fair that includes women’s health focused screenings and information.
“We are so pleased to partner with the PA Breast Cancer Coalition and Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward to empower women to get regular breast cancer screenings and to break down barriers to accessing preventive cancer care,” said Jonathan Chernoff, MD, PhD, Cancer Center Director, Fox Chase Cancer Center. “We know that mammograms save lives. Early detection through regular screening is critical to promoting the most favorable outcomes for patients with less need for aggressive treatments. Our Fox Chase mission extends into the communities we serve, and we are honored to be a part of this important effort.”
To schedule an appointment for the FREE Get Your Mammogram Event, call 215-728-3554.
About the PA Breast Cancer Coalition
The PA Breast Cancer Coalition is a 501(c)3 organization that represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure now…so our daughters don’t have to. For more information, please call 800-377-8828 or visit www.PABreastCancer.org.
About Fox Chase Cancer Center
The Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center and its affiliates (collectively “Fox Chase Cancer Center”), a member of the Temple University Health System, is one of the leading cancer research and treatment centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence five consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center, that no one shall be excluded from or denied the benefits of or participation in the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.
Contact: Erica Clayton Wright, ewright@pasen.gov, (412) 334-4856 (Majority Leader Kim Ward)
Natalie Kopp, Natalie@PABreastCancer.org, (717) 769-2302 (PA Breast Cancer Coalition)