|
87 WOMEN RECEIVE MAMMOGRAMS AT DESERT HOT SPRINGS
The Desert Hot Springs free mammogram clinic again reached enormous numbers by serving another 87 women of the Coachella with either a first time or an ongoing mammogram.
This “grass roots” solely volunteer program continues to reach the women who are without doctors and/or insurance in these tenuous times. Desert Hot Springs clinics are held twice a year in January and August and continues to serve 85-100 women at those clinics.
The “We Care” free mammogram will continue to hold clinics monthly throughout the Coachella Valley and women are urged to call 760 325-4701 between 10am and 1pm to book an appointment.
The clinics are funded by grants and donations and screening mammograms are offered to all women over 40 years of age without implants.
To date this program has donated 1790 free mammograms and has 10 clinics left in 2010. To inquire about locations call the above number of visit the web site: desertwomenforequality.com
MAMMOGRAM CLINIC BOOKING FOR 2010 IN PROCESS
The office volunteers of Desert Women for Equality have begun booking mammogram appointments for 2010 and report steady activity.
Clinics planned for the first quarter of 2010 are Desert Hot Springs at the DHS Senior Center, January; Palm Springs at The Golden Rainbow Senior Center, February; and Palm Desert in March at The Joslyn Senior Center.
These three clinics are made possible through generosity of The Desert Healthcare District Grant which was awarded in 2009 and will end December 31, 2010. The Desert Healthcare District recognizes the need for medical accessibility to assure ongoing mammogram screening for uninsured and undersured women in the Coachella Valley and are strong supporters of “We Care”
All remaining clinics for 2010 have been set and are also available for booking at this time. An appointment may be made by calling 325-4701 Monday-Friday.
^to top
Medically Uninsured or Underinsured? |
Free Mammograms |
|
2010 Clinic Schedule
|
| |
Jan 13 - DHS |
July 14 - Indio |
| |
Feb 13 - Palm Springs |
Aug 11 - DHS |
| |
Mar 10 - Palm Desert |
Sep TBD - Palm Springs |
| |
Apr 17 - 1,000 Palms |
Oct 12 - Coachella |
| |
May 12 - Coachella |
Nov TBD - Flying Doctors |
| |
June 16 - Cathedral City |
|
 
For Specific dates, locations & an appointment call
Desert Women for Equality at
760-325-4701
|
^to top
FLYING DOCTOR’S OFFER MAMMOGRAPHY FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Desert Women for Equality and “We Care” were honored to be a part of serving the hundreds of people who attended the Bi-annual Los Medicos Valadores Clinic on Saturday, November 14, 2009.
Fifty mammograms were given to women ranging in age from 40 to 79 years of age and in most cases having a mammogram for the first time in their life.
This clinic was unusual to “We Care” in many ways because several women under 40 years of age also were requesting help and presenting with a medical breast problem. These women were referred immediately to other facilities that could potentially assist them. Additionally ten other women who met the 40 year requirement also presented with immediate breast problems and again they were referred to other facilities for assistance.
“We Care” offers screening mammograms with is the accepted tool in routine health care at one year intervals. Women who are symptomatic are not given screening mammograms and are referred for immediate care to receive more in depth studies to potentially identify problems at the earliest opportunity.
Desert Women for Equality plans to participate in the March and November 2010 Flying Doctors Clinics with expanded services to offer a greater number of women an opportunity to receive a screening mammogram.
^to top
Clinic Stories Worth Sharing…………….
A Story…….
Recently a woman attended our DHS clinic and related to us, “that a friend referred her to DWE since she did not have insurance”. This was not unusual but what was the rest of the story was more unusual, her friend was currently undergoing chemo which followed a “positive” finding of the friend’s mammogram which was also given at one of our ”We Care” clinics as well. Another “in time” intervention.
Another story……..A friend of one of our board member’s mother sought a mammogram with us several months ago. Sadly or gladly the friend’s mother was found to require further testing as a result of the mammogram and a “stage 4” tumor was detected. She was referred for additional care through “Every Woman Counts”. Our board member Just recently found out the friend’s mother is doing just fine right now. A life saved or extended.
^to top
OCTOBER 14 COACHELLA CLINIC SWAMPED
The seventh Coachella “We Care” free mammogram clinic again scored record numbers of women returning and/or seeking mammograms for the first time.
Ninety-three (93) women passed through The Eleanor Shadowden Senior Center doors and secured their annual mammogram checkup for another year. The volunteers of Desert Women for Equality answered questions and assured each woman received the assistance she needed.
To date, more than 600 mammograms have been given at the busy site, and in 2010 two more clinics are scheduled in Coachella with an anticipation of 180-200 mammograms being given on those days for returning and new women.
The recent clinic had 38% of mammograms given to returning women who had previously received mammograms with “We Care” a year or more ago.
The Coachella clinics continue to show a strong need for medical assistance in the East Valley and are a high priority for fundraising for 2010.
Clinics are scheduled for May and October 2010 and will again be held at The Eleanor Shadowden Senior Center. Appointments for these clinics are already being booked at the DWE office and may be made by calling 1-760 325-4701.
^to top
PALM SPRINGS CLINIC SERVES 91 WOMEN
The September 12, 2009 “We Care” clinic provided free mammography screening held in concert with The Women’s Health Fair sponsored by The 100 Women of The Desert Aids Project.
This was the third year “We Care” joined the Health Fair. There has been a 12-15% increase in mammograms given at each Health Fair. (2007-- 63 women were screened; 2008-- 74 women were screened; 2009-- 91 women were screened. There is, indeed, a significant increase in the need for our services as the numbers of uninsured/underinsured women increases in our Valley.
This mammogram clinic was funded by The 100 Women and The Desert Healthcare District.
The Health Fair offers other services during the event such as HIV Testing, Blood Pressure Screening, Diabetes Screening, Massage and many informational booths to assist women in accessing health care opportunities.
DWE is proud to have participated in this event which focuses on the good health of our women.
^to top
|
