July 21, 2020 | By Atrium Health Foundation | In Contributor News
Established in 2011, Levine Cancer Institute: Project PINK has become a trusted and vital community resource for underinsured and uninsured women in need of life-saving mammography screenings. After temporarily ceasing operations earlier this year due to COVID-19, LCI: Project PINK re-launched its mobile mammography screenings in late June with Atrium Health COVID-Safe Care in place. In partnership with Charlotte Radiology, the program’s state-of-the-art mobile breast center travels throughout the Greater Charlotte community offering free screenings in a convenient, compassionate environment.
On July 16, 2020, Albemarle Foundation graciously sponsored a Project PINK screening day at Project 658. During the screening event, Project PINK experts provided free mammograms for 22 patients and donated 65 face masks. Each patient received breast health education, hand sanitizer, a mask for each member of their household, COVID-19 education and free testing information, and other helpful community resources. Thanks to the generous philanthropic support of our colleagues at Albemarle Foundation, community members were able to access these preventative healthcare services – a key to the early detection and treatment of breast cancer.
A few patients shared why screenings are important to them and their own messages of thanks to Albemarle Foundation and everyone who made this event possible:
“I’ve had multiple friends who found lumps in their breasts, and that’s scary. Thankfully they weren’t cancer, but early detection is so important. My mom’s best friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, so getting yearly mammograms is very important to me. I’ve had insurance most of my life but am recently unemployed which has made me very nervous. I’ve been getting mammograms yearly since I was 40 and did not want to miss a year!” – Gina Anderson
Ms. Anderson was very thankful when she learned of Project PINK. She has Family Planning Medicaid which is a type of insurance that does not cover annual mammograms. Thankfully, our wonderful community partners at Charlotte Radiology referred her to Project PINK.
“I have two cousins who battled breast cancer, so this is near and dear to my heart. Both of my cousins passed away so young due to breast cancer. I think it’s very important to find out what’s going on and to be aware of your body. Early detection is key, and I truly believe it can save my life. I was so excited and relieved to learn about Project PINK from my doctor! It was some good news during such a crazy time. The Project PINK team was “on it,” and helped set up an appointment for me the following month. It meant so much to me to know that I was going to be able to get my mammogram this year that I called both my mom and sister to celebrate!” – Michelle Evans
“Annual mammograms are important for my health and well-being and can prevent something from developing or happening if I get checked annually. I was connected with the Project PINK Program through the Smith Family Wellness. They connected me to this resource and it helped me a lot, because I have no insurance and I could not afford a mammogram. I now get my mammogram done every year through this program, and I have been able to share this resource with my coworkers, and they have all been seen through the Project PINK program, as well.” – Sylvia Achi
Levine Cancer Institute: Project Pink is a collaboration between Atrium Health’s Levine Cancer Institute and Charlotte Radiology. The innovative program was created to help underinsured and uninsured women access life-saving mammography screenings and follow-up care. Since 2011, the program has provided thousands of free screenings and diagnostic follow-up care to community members in underserved communities with its mobile screening site.
Project PINK is funded through philanthropy and generous supporters and donors. Donations to the Project PINK Fund allow for “Free Mammography Days” in underserved communities where the need is highest. Levine Cancer Institute: Project PINK allows eligible women a free screening mammogram and follow-up care (diagnostic screening, ultrasound, biopsy) if recommended. If there is a positive cancer finding during either program, the patient will be navigated throughout the entire treatment from diagnosis to survivorship. To learn more and make a donation to the Project PINK Fund, click here.