| Final
Ladies Night Out set for Oct. 13
The final Ladies Night Out on Wednesday, October 13, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Hospital’s Cottonwood Medical Clinic,  will
honor Susan G. Komen for the Cure for their work nationally and regionally.
The Boise Chapter has awarded SMH two grants to provide free female wellness
exams and mammograms to residents of Idaho County who are uninsured or
underinsured.
The goodie bags, door prizes and materials will focus on the organization which also awarded Public Health North Central District a grant in their last funding cycle to raise breast cancer awareness. “We wanted to show our appreciation to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization, especially the Boise Chapter for the grants we’ve received the past two years,” said Stephanie Wagner, SMH Clinics Coordinator. “We have provided women free exams, helped with treatment costs and transportation and paid for mammograms through the grants. Our health care providers have diagnosed some women with breast cancer and given peace of mind to so many more. We hope women will take advantage of our October 13th event to have their exam and schedule a mammogram.” The Komen funds are designed for women aged 18-49 who are residents of Idaho County and under or uninsured, but all females are invited. Women interested in an annual exam that evening should call the Cottonwood clinic, 962-3267. The source of payment for the exam is kept strictly confidential, according to Wagner. Insurances can also be billed. The Komen organization has invested $1.5 billion to assist women since being founded in 1982 by Susan’s sister, Nancy Brinker. On the Komen website Brinker talks about her sister’s three year battle with the disease beginning at age 35, “I tried to come home every other week for a visit. One particular Sunday afternoon on the way back to the airport, Suzy spoke to me again about doing something to help the sick women in the hospital. This practically tore my heart out because here she was, hardly able to manage a whisper, and she was worrying about other people. I couldn't bear it. She was more concerned with the treatment of the patients while my concern was the treatment of her disease. I was outraged that more hadn't been learned to help my sister.” One in eight American women will experience breast cancer in her life. “It is so important to talk with your health care provider and devise a schedule of regular exams and mammograms based on their suggestion,” said Shari Kuther, RN, SMH Clinics Nursing Coordinator. “Early diagnosis can mean a better outcome. Eighty percent of women who are diagnosed have no family history so I strongly encourage women of all ages to talk with their health care provider and develop a plan to monitor and maintain good health.” |
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