Join MammaCare in recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October!

Programs around the country are providing expanded screening and outreach services to women in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. While most women are aware that screening is an important part of their health care routine, heightened coverage during the month of October serves as a reminder to make an appointment and access these important services. Recently, two graduates of MammaCare programs have become recertified to continue providing screening and education to women in their communities.

In North Carolina, Liliana Gismondi-Crook is the Breast Health Community Outreach Coordinator/Educator at Carolinas Medical Center NorthEast. Recertified as a MammaCare BSE Instructor, Ms. Gismondi-Crook will hold several “Mammogram Parties” at the Breast Health Center at CMC NorthEast for the month of October. These events bring together friends, families, and coworkers for breast health education and screening services. For the parties, the Breast Health Center schedules mammogram appointments back-to-back and provides a relaxed atmosphere for women to learn MammaCare Breast Self-Examination.

“It’s like bringing an exercise buddy to the gym,” says Gismondi-Crook, “Even though cancer is something serious, here is a way to make [screening] a little bit more fun!” The mobile mammography unit at CMC NorthEast serves five counties surrounding Charlotte, NC and makes stops to rural communities, bringing important services to the women where they live. In addition to community outreach activities, Gismondi-Crook and the staff at the Breast Center at CMC NorthEast target hospital employees with “Pink Day” specials, like lunchroom appointment scheduling, educational activities, and refreshments. Of her recent recertification, Ms. Gismondi-Crook says, “It is a good time to talk to the MammaCare Trainer about new guidelines and questions you may have had after implementing the program.”

In Texas, Ms. Angela Williams, RN, upgraded her MammaCare CBE certification to become a MammaCare Specialist. Williams is the Project Coordinator for the UNTHSC North Texas Breast Cancer Prevention and Education Program. Funds for the program are provided by the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). “The Mammacare CBE and Specialist Certification program has expanded the depth of our project and contributes to the sustainability of routine prevention, screening and early  detection of breast cancer in the communities we serve,” says Williams.

An estimated 5,000 people live with breast cancer in Dallas County and the numbers are increasing yearly. This October, the UNT Health Science Center (Fort Worth) for Community Health will provide potentially life-saving clinical breast exams, mammography screening and breast health education with a special event happening on October 15th.

Explore MammaCare for additional resources to support your organization’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities