June 05, 2009

RVMC, TRCH Earn Grants to Battle Breast Cancer

Komen Foundation grants to hospitals over $60,000 so more women get annual checkups
La Clinica del Valle, Community Health Center, Mid Rogue Independent Physician Association to partner with hospitals on grant

Rogue Valley Medical Center (RVMC) and Three Rivers Community Hospital (TRCH) were both awarded grants from the Susan G Komen Race for a Cure Foundation. The grants, $39,995 to RVMC and $25,000 to TRCH, will be used to help more women get annual mammograms in order to identify breast cancer earlier and increase their chances for winning the fight against cancer. La Clinica del Valle, Community Health Center, and Mid Rogue Independent Physician Association will partner with the hospitals to carry out the goals of the grant.

"This is the first time Rogue Valley Medical Center has received a grant from the Susan G. Komen Race for a Cure Foundation to partner with community agencies in an effort to encourage low-income and rural women to get their annual screening mammograms," said Melanie Dines, RVMC Breast Health/Oncology Navigator.  "Komen has given so much to our community: grants for education/outreach; transportation, lodging, and meals.  We are grateful to be partnering with them so that we can save more lives by detecting breast cancer at its earliest stages with yearly mammography."  

Three Rivers Women's Imaging, a service of TRCH, received a grant for the third consecutive year. "We are thankful for Susan G. Komen's for the Cure's support for Josephine County," said Diana Sheldon, RN, Breast Health Coordinator, TRCH. "We have been able to partner with Mid Rogue Independent Physicians and local Community Churches to remind women that are over 40 years old to schedule their yearly screening mammogram." Three Rivers Women's Imaging has digital mammography, which patients say allows for a more comfortable exam, Sheldon added.

The project allowed for multiple success stories as many women "just put off" calling for their screening, Sheldon explained.  Some women, when called, insisted they would never have a mammogram. Yet, after the call and education, they came in for their screenings.  "We truly believe that through the efforts made available through this grant, lives were saved and the message made was clear,  early detection saves lives."

Breast cancer incidence and death rates are higher in Jackson County than state and national rates, presenting a significant regional health problem. Based on national studies, a program has been developed to reach out to 3,000 low-income and rural women in need through their primary care agency.  Rogue Valley Medical Center will partner with La Clinica del Valle and Community Health Center to increase the number of women in need who receive mammography screening and to increase the number of Jackson County Latina women who receive mammography screening through a personalized program of outreach.  

For example, Ana Maria Salaverry, MSFW Outreach Advocate, La Clinica, plans to arrange field trips for Hispanic women to the Rogue Valley Women's Imaging Center.  Afterwards, she will  take the group out to lunch and provide an incentive gift for participating.  She will also provide case management for 860 Spanish-speaking women.  

"She is a well-known advocate and educator in the Hispanic community," said Dines. "We are fortunate to be working with her."

Josephine County faces high breast cancer incidence and death rates, making cancer screening an imperative for women age 40 and over. Based on studies that show women are more likely to receive cancer screening when their primary care provider makes the referral, 3,000 rural women in need will receive phone outreach from their primary and imaging care providers through Komen grant funding. Three Rivers Community Hospital will partner with Mid Rogue Independent Physician Association to increase mammography screening, increase supportive services for breast cancer patients, and increase the number of referrals for screening as a result of provider training.

"The medically underserved population of Oregon and SW Washington is considerable during these tough economic times and Komen Community Partners make it possible to reach those most in need," said Christine McDonald, Executive Director, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Oregon and SW Washington Affiliate.  "Our Community Partners make it possible for us to effectively communicate the message of early detection, support, and hope to the communities that we serve throughout Oregon and SW Washington.  These organizations are to be celebrated for their outstanding work in the fight against breast cancer."

INFO ABOUT THE GRANTS

Rogue Valley Medical Center - $39,995
Program Director: Melanie Dines, RN, MSN, CBCN
692 Murphy Road
Medford, OR 97504
(541) 789-5298

Breast cancer incidence and death rates are both slightly higher in Jackson County than state and national rates, which presents a significant regional health problem. Based on national studies, a program has been developed to reach out to 3,000 low-income and rural women in need of screening through their primary care agency.  Rogue Valley Medical Center will partner with La Clinica del Valle and Community Health Center to:

1) increase the number of women in need who receive mammography screening; and

2) increase the number of Jackson County Latina women who receive mammography screening through a personalized program of outreach. 

Number of people to be reached: 3,048

Three Rivers Community Hospital - $25,000
Program Director: Diana Sheldon
500 SW Ramsey Ave
Grants Pass, OR  97527
(541) 955-5416

Josephine County faces disturbing breast cancer incidence and death rates, making cancer screening an imperative for women age 40 and over. Based on studies that show women are more likely to actually receive cancer screening when their primary care provider makes the referral, 3,000 rural women in need will receive phone outreach from their primary and imaging care providers. Three Rivers Community Hospital will partner with Mid Rogue Independent Physician Association to:

1) increase mammography screening;

2) increase supportive services for breast cancer patients; and

3) increase the number of referrals for screening as a result of provider training.

Number of people to be reached: 8,325.

According to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 23 organizations throughout Oregon and SW Washington have been awarded a total of $534,967 in Community and Transportation Grants, which will help provide services to more than 24,000 men and women who are medically underserved due to challenges such as language and cultural barriers, financial difficulties and transportation issues. Support services are also provided to women going through treatment and survivors. Community Grants were given to organizations that support diverse demographics including Native American, Asian, Hispanic and Russian communities, as well as rural communities.