Giving Hope: A Community Campaign by NorthEast Foundation for the Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast Breast Health Program

As the most prevalent type of cancer in the country, one out of eight women will develop breast cancer by the age of 85. However, early detection can save lives. Unfortunately, women in Cabarrus and the surrounding counties are not scheduling mammograms as suggested by their medical providers.
In 2007, only 36 percent of the women in our community had a screening mammogram. And as the number of diagnosed cases continues to rise, it is more important now, than ever, that convenient access to the most advanced breast health resources is available.

Mother, sister, daughter, friend. Every woman deserves the chance to work, play and care for her loved ones. The volunteers conducting the NorthEast Foundation Breast Health Campaign and its network of support provided by physicians, nurses, social workers and more, will deliver a superior level of care to the women of our community. Gifts to the NorthEast Foundation Breast Health Campaign will enhance lives, giving hope to women in our community.

Enhancing Lives
In a continuing commitment to the health of our community, Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast has decided to strengthen our Breast Health Program by creating a Breast Health Center, purchasing leading-edge digital mammography equipment and a mobile mammography van, and launching an aggressive community outreach program.

CMC-NorthEast is dedicated to enhancing the lives of wives, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, giving hope to those who receive mammograms. By doing so, our goal is to increase the number of women whose lives will be saved by participating in the Breast Health Program at CMC-NorthEast.

In partnership with NorthEast Foundation and our community, CMC-NorthEast will not only expand its Breast Health Program but will create a three-year campaign focused on raising awareness and funds to support the women of our community who may be diagnosed with breast cancer.

The Breast Health Program
The journey toward providing guidance and hope for those with suspected breast cancer begins at the newly developed and renovated Breast Health Center at CMC-NorthEast Outpatient Center - Copperfield. Here, we offer:

• Breast Health Center - a spa-like environment that focuses on reducing stress. With leading-edge digital mammography diagnostic equipment - the "gold standard" - radiologists are provided the tools necessary to make a more accurate diagnosis.
• Multi-Disciplinary Breast Health Conference - where, on a weekly basis, the best minds in breast cancer treatment gather to discuss options and determine the plan of care for each patient. Every facet of a patient's treatment plan is coordinated to deliver maximum results in a minimum amount of time. From the oncologist, to the radiologist, to the research and breast nurse navigators, and more - all disciplines work as a unified team to treat the patient as a whole person.
• Breast Nurse Navigator - an experienced oncology nurse who helps the patient and family understand options and what to expect during treatment.Together, they will review pictures of patients who have had lumpectomies, mastectomies and reconstruction, and discuss the physical and emotional aspects of such a decision. The breast nurse navigator addresses concerns the patient may have about side effects, recovery and more. She can also refer the patient to resources such as financial assistance, insurance experts, support for family members and more. Most importantly, the breast nurse navigator gives the patient the emotional support needed along the way.
• Rejuvenation Center - for the woman whose vitality is drained emotionally from fear, anxiety or anger because of their illness. The Rejuvenation Center uses specific strategies or therapies such as guided-visualization, relaxation techniques and hands-on-healing to provide relief. Additionally, it offers cosmetic support, wigs, scarves and haircutting.
• Support Networks - connecting newly diagnosed women with other cancer survivors. Here, we know that a woman with cancer wants to talk with other women who have already traveled the journey. Patients will also have access to a variety of other resources, including a library of materials on related topics, as well as support groups, breast cancer Web sites, and much more.
• Mobile Mammography Van - a part of the CMC-NorthEast community outreach program, the van helps busy working women take the first step towards early breast cancer detection. Featuring digital mammography and equipped with dressing rooms and a seating area, the van will travel within a thirty-five mile radius of the main campus providing screening mammograms. The mobile mammography van will visit businesses, churches and community centers to encourage all women, regardless of their ability to pay, to have a mammogram.

The NorthEast Foundation Breast Health Campaign
NorthEast Foundation has adopted the Breast Health Program as a three-year community campaign.

NorthEast Foundation's Board of Directors has pledged to raise $5.5 million required to develop the Breast Health Program, including the Breast Health Center, to purchase digital mammography equipment and the mobile mammography van, and to provide additional support for breast health community outreach programs. The Board has invited community leaders and volunteers to assist in this important project and created a campaign cabinet and committees to conduct the campaign activities.

The NorthEast Foundation Breast Health Campaign is important in providing another level of care, giving hope to women right here in our community. We invite you to join us by giving your gift to the NorthEast Foundation. For more information, please call 704-403-1369.