Models get ready to walk the runway at Woman’s BUST Breast Cancer bra art fashion show held at L’Auberge Casino & Hotel on Thursday, September 24. (Photo Credit: Rachel S. Photography)
When it comes to breast cancer, awareness can only do so much. In Louisiana, many women do not get an annual mammogram because they either cannot afford it or do not have adequate transportation to and from an appointment. Since 2006, Woman’s has taken the fight against breast cancer on the road with its
Mobile Mammography Coach.
The Mobile Mammography Coach provides onsite mammograms to underserved women throughout a 15-parish area, visiting churches, workplaces, grocery stores, community centers and more. Woman’s recent BUST Breast Cancer bra art fashion show and Woman’s Victory Open golf tournament raised more than $298,000 for the Mobile Mammography Coach, including the purchase of a second coach.
Despite serving 5,300 patients each year, the current Mobile Mammography Coach cannot meet its demand. If a second coach was to hit the road today, it would already have a booked-solid schedule for three months. An additional coach would extend services to a total of 21 parishes and give Woman’s the ability to screen more than 10,000 women each year.
Clockwise from top left: Elena Rome, Mary Sibley, Carla Jumonville and Cherie Giblin (Photo Credit: Kleinpeter Photography)
In addition to purchasing a second coach, funds will be used to upgrade the current Mobile Mammography Coach from 2D mammography to 3D. 3D mammography – also known as tomography – produces clear, precise images that allow doctors to pinpoint abnormalities with greater accuracy.
“I would like to express Woman’s most sincere gratitude to our sponsors, auction donors, artists, survivors and event attendees whose support will save the lives of women in need in our community,” said Beverly Brooks Thompson, Foundation for Woman’s President and Chief Development Officer.
Major sponsors for BUST Breast Cancer and Woman’s Victory Open included Price LeBlanc Toyota-Lexus-Nissan, Arkel Constructors, BancorpSouth Wright & Percy Insurance, and Capital One Bank.