Impact the Cure Provides Free Mammograms for Uninsured in Abilene, Kansas

Impact the Cure Provides Free Mammograms for Uninsured

Memorial Hospital provides free mammography services for uninsured in Dickinson County that are funded by Impact the Cure.  Shown is Rhonda Schmid, Memorial Hospital Mammography Services, who has twenty-six years of experience as a Mammography Technologist.

Each autumn for the past several years as Breast Cancer Awareness Month approaches, individuals in Dickinson County have supported Impact the Cure, a breast cancer fundraiser.  The events include a 5K run, 2-Mile Fun Walk, Hope Lives!, and high school activities.  Impact the Cure funds are used to provide free mammography services for uninsured in Dickinson County.  The services are provided at Memorial Hospital.  The funds are administered by Memorial Health Foundation.

Rhonda Schmid, Memorial Hospital Mammography Technologist, provides mammograms through this program.  She has seen worried patients who have put off having a mammogram because of the lack of health insurance.  “One patient hadn’t had a mammogram for three years because she didn’t have insurance.  Fortunately, she was lucky.  The earlier you catch a questionable spot, the better your chances are.”

Schmid has twenty-six years of experience providing mammography services.  She has seen many types of cases and situations.  She is impressed that a community the size of Abilene has this program.  “For every case caught, you help the whole family.  That patient may be a mother, grandmother, wife, and/or sister.  You are helping the whole community,” she said.  Over seventy Dickinson County women have been recipients of the free mammography services since the program began.

Memorial Hospital Radiology Department recommends that patients talk to their doctor about how often to have a mammogram because there are many factors that affect the decision.  The American College of Radiology currently recommends an annual exam for women over 40.

Individuals who live in Dickinson County and would like more information regarding the free mammography services for uninsured should call Memorial Hospital scheduling at 263-6660.  Candidates must be 40 years of age or older; however, if candidate is 35-40 years of age and has a direct family history (mother, father, brother, sister) of breast cancer, a mammogram is suggested. Those interested must make an appointment through Memorial Hospital scheduling.

Keep up-to-date with everything in one of our North Central Kansas Community Apps!!

GET The Free Mobile App HERE.