Northside Hospital Awarded $189K in Grants from Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Thanks to two generous grants from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate, Northside Hospital will be able to continue its work to promote early detection of breast cancer, by providing funding for screening mammograms and other breast diagnostic procedures for women who cannot afford them. This is the tenth year that Northside has received grant money from Komen Atlanta, with funds totaling more than $537,000. "Northside Hospital’s breast screening and mammography se rvice projects fill a breast healthcare disparity in the Metro Atlanta area by aiming to eliminate women’s cultural and monetary barriers to receiving breast health care," said Executive Director Kelly Dolan. "Komen Atlanta is pleased to fund an organization dedicated to providing necessary resources to ensure that all women have the chance to combat and survive this disease." Early detection saves the lives of thousands of women each year. More cases of breast cancer are treated at Northside Hospital than at any other community hospital in the Southeast. As a National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Center, the hospital offers a complete range of services for patients including education, genetic counseling, imaging, radiation oncology, surgery, support, rehabilitation and more – covering every aspect of breast care. Komen Atlanta's grant program funds community programs that provide needed breast cancer services to women, who are medically underserved, uninsured or underinsured. Of the $189,626.50 given to Northside in 2012, $101,635.40 will go toward helping qualified applicants receive screening mammograms, while the remaining $87,991.10 will go to providing breast diagnostic services including diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds and more to women in need. Services are available at select Northside Hospital locations, as well as aboard Northside’s ScreenAtlanta mobile-mammography unit. Interpretation services are available upon request. "Through generous community support from groups like Komen Atlanta, Northside is able to increase the early detection of breast cancer by educating an d screening more women," said Patti Owen, director of oncology services, Northside Hospital. "We are grateful to Komen Atlanta for their ongoing commitment to our Breast Care Program." To be eligible for the free mammogram services, applicants must qualify for financial assistance and reside in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fayette, Fulton, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Henry or Rockdale counties. Additionally, women must be at least 35 years old, meet income level requirements, have no health insurance and provide a written order from her physician. Funding will be available until resources are exhausted. To learn more about receiving services at Northside Hospital, through the Komen Atlanta grant, call 770-667-4400. For more information about supporting North side, visit http://www.northside.com.