Saint Thomas River Park Hospital was recently the recipient of a $5,270 Susan G. Komen Upper Cumberland grant to support the employee-driven Nancy’s Hope fundraising group. The grant funds are to supplement money that has already been raised internally to provide free screening mammograms to local women in need.
In 2014, the group of employees from various hospital departments banded together in hopes of continuing a program that had been providing free mammograms since 2008. They routinely do fundraisers like silent auctions, pink ribbon sales, and bake sales.
The name Nancy’s Hope was decided upon in memory of Nancy Davidson, occupational therapist at Saint Thomas River Park. Nancy was a member of the breast cancer fundraising committee who battled breast cancer and died in June 2015.
“She was an inspiration to everyone she came in contact with,” said Kristin Lockhart, who serves as medical imaging director at River Park. “She went above and beyond to help people, no matter their struggles. She always hoped a cure would be found and that is how the committee wanted to honor Nancy. We want to keep her dream alive for all women to receive screening, no matter their income status.”
 “We already knew there was a need. Warren County has a very high number of individuals living below the poverty level. Women in that category often don’t receive regular screenings because of the cost and when they finally do get screened, breast cancers are often found at a later stage,” Lockhart continued. “The process to obtain the grant this time around was tedious, but well worth the effort.”
The group had already provided 15 free mammograms prior to receiving the grant and now has the funds to provide 35 additional mammograms to local women.
“Early detection is key in the fight against this disease because breast cancer found in its earliest stage is very curable,” said Lockhart. “Annual screenings beginning at age 40 are one of the best ways to protect against the disease.”
Lockhart explained anyone who wants a free mammogram may call 815-4485 to schedule one and that a doctor’s order is not required for a screening mammogram. To qualify for the free mammogram, the patent needs to be between the ages of 40-65, uninsured, and their income needs to be below 250 percent of the poverty level.
The Mammography department at St. Thomas River Park has a 2D digital machine and has been accredited since 1995 with the American College of Radiology.