Northside Hospital has received two grants to support their breast and colon cancer screening and treatment services.
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater Atlanta Affiliate has given the hospital a $150,000 grant to provide funding for screening mammograms and other diagnostic procedures for women who are medically underserved and uninsured. This is the twelfth year that Northside has received funding from Komen Atlanta, and in 2013, 691 women were served by the hospital's grant-supported programs.
"Through generous community support from groups like Komen Atlanta, Northside is able to increase the early detection of breast cancer by educating and screening more women," says Patti Owen, director of oncology services at Northside. "We are grateful to Komen Atlanta for their ongoing commitment to our Breast Care Program."
As a National Cancer Institute Community Care Center, the hospital offers a complete range of services for patients, covering every aspect of breast care. To be eligible for free mammogram services, applicants must qualify for financial assistance, be at least 35 years old, have no health insurance and reside in Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglass, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Newton or Rockdale counties.
Northside is also receiving continued support from the Colon Cancer Alliance to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer for those who forego medical care due to transportation concerns. Thanks to a generous grant from the CCA and the organization's Undy 5000 5K run/walk series, Northside is now able to award gas cards or taxi vouchers to qualifying patients.
"Colon cancer is one of the top five cancers we diagnose at Northside Hospital. Increasing access to colorectal cancer screening and treatment for our patients in a primary goal of our Cancer Institute," says Betty McGinty, director of Northside's Advanced Center for GI Therapeutics. "We are very appreciative of the Colon Cancer Alliance and the Undy 5000 for once again supporting our program."
The gas cards and taxi vouchers, which helped 77 patients in 2013, will assist with one-way or round-trip transportation within metro Atlanta to physician appointments, colonoscopy appointments, colorectal cancer diagnostic testing and treatment and medication refills for patients who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or who are seeking screening.
To learn more about Northside Hospital, visit http://www.northside.com.
