Aspirus receives $130,000 grant from Komen
Contact: Greg Aune, 715-847-0479
WAUSAU, Wis. – Aspirus Women’s Health has received a $130,427 grant from the Central Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® to continue its free mammography program.
The program, which was started by Aspirus in 2008, has provided free breast health services and education to nearly 1,000 women through monthly community screening events.
“We are very grateful that Komen and all of our partners have maintained their support of our program. It’s important that we continue to provide free mammograms and diagnostic services to women who otherwise couldn’t afford them,” said Jennifer Smith, Aspirus Women’s Health Supervisor.
The next community screening event is available to women who qualify in Medford on June 19. Free breast exams and mammograms are available at Memorial Health Center, located at 135 South Gibson Street.
Telephone registration is required for the screenings, which include breast self-exam education, a clinical breast exam, a digital screening mammogram and referrals to any other necessary breast health services. If a problem is discovered during screening, the Aspirus program also provides coverage for the appropriate follow-up care, including diagnostic mammography, ultrasound and biopsy (excluding MRI).
Women who don’t currently have any breast issues are eligible for a free annual screening mammogram. To qualify for these free screenings, women must be age 40 or older, have no health insurance, or have health insurance with a deductible of $500 or more that they cannot afford.
Women who have a new breast issue also are eligible for free services, regardless of age if they meet the financial qualifications. If eligible, women will receive free services including an appointment with an Aspirus health care provider and exams related to their breast problem. Examples of breast problems can include:
- A lump
- Skin dimpling
- Nipple changes
- Bloody nipple discharge
For more information, and registration and participation criteria, please call the Aspirus Information Center at 715.847.2380 or 800.847.4707. A full listing of screening dates and locations also is available online at aspirus.org/freemammogram.
This program is supported by a grant from the Central Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Additional support is provided by Radiology Associates of Wausau, the Langlade Health Foundation, Memorial Health Center, the Aspirus Health Foundation, Aspirus WausauHospital, and Aspirus Clinics.
About Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and the Central Wisconsin Affiliate
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure and launched the global breast cancer movement. The Central Wisconsin Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is working to better the lives of those battling breast cancer in the local community. Established in 2007, the Komen Central Wisconsin Affiliate has already invested more than $300,000 in local breast health and breast cancer awareness projects in Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Portage, Taylor, Wood and western Shawano counties, including sponsoring an annual public forum on breast health. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Affiliate stay in the central Wisconsin area. The remaining income goes to the national Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants Program to fund research. For more information, call 715-212-8115 or visit www.komencentralwisconsin.org.
