August 2020
$6,797
[$4,500 (Membership) + $2,297 (Richard M. Shulze Foundation)]
Nominated by: Christal Lewandowski
​Website: Link
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The Ascension St. John Breast Care Program services women across SE Michigan. This includes obtaining state-of-the-art technology, administering clinical trials, creating new programs to respond to the needs of the community, enhancing clinical quality and providing assistance to patients with the coordination of their care, treatment and follow-up.

​Our Breast Care Program has:

• Purchased an ABUS machine (Automated Breast Ultrasound) for additional imaging needs allowing ultrasounds of the entire breast
• Paid for physical therapists to be certified in lymphedema treatment for patients. 
• Covered expenses for patients struggling with financial burdens by providing direct financial assistance for essential living needs during oncology treatment. Funds assist families with transportation costs, medical bills and equipment, utility bills and more.
• Planned to purchase another Digital Breast Tomosynthesis, or 3-D mammography machine -an advanced type of mammogram that can offer a much higher rate of breast cancer detection providing higher diagnostic accuracy compared to conventional mammography. The new imaging technique allows radiologists to see thinner sections of breast tissue that provide clearer images. This greatly improves earlier detection of small breast tumors that may be hidden during standard mammography therefore resulting in a reduced callback rate and fewer unnecessary biopsies.
• Focused on goal of scheduling all mammograms within 7 days (hence the need to raise funds for another mammography machine)
• Assisted 460 women annually at Southeast Michigan sites.