Cancer, Women's Health

Spectrum Health Foundation Receives National Breast Cancer Grants

Grand Rapids, Mich., Jan. 25, 2022 – National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) has awarded two grants to Spectrum Health’s Betty Ford Breast Care Services to further its work on overcoming barriers to care and enhancing services for underserved women.

The Nurse Navigators program, which guides patients through each step of their diagnostic, treatment and survivorship journey, received $39,843. The program provides critical education, emotional support, appointment coordination, patient advocacy and referrals to specialists for further care and treatment. Nurse navigators also help manage patient care, speak with patients who receive an abnormal screening result and assist with biopsies and post-biopsy recovery. They also encourage patients to participate in screening and diagnostics, which are provided free of charge to underinsured/uninsured women.

Additionally, NBCF awarded $5,000 to help cover a gap in services for patients who do not qualify for support under other aid programs. This will assist patients with high deductibles or inadequate insurance coverage who need additional diagnostic services following a screening mammogram.. The award will cover screening and diagnostic mammograms, digital breast tomosynthesis and breast ultrasounds for low-income women in 13 counties in West Michigan.

“The underserved patients we support are from a wide age range, diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, urban and rural areas – all walks of life. The one unfortunate thing they all have in common is finding themselves in financial situations where they are unable to afford basic preventative health care. We are humbled and honored to play a small part in helping these patients receive the quality care they might otherwise have to forego if assistance was not available. Thank you, National Breast Cancer Foundation, for your generous contributions,” says Debby Chatel, administrative assistant, Spectrum Health Betty Ford Breast Care Services.

National Breast Cancer Foundation’s mission is to provide help and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services. For additional information about NBCF, visit nationalbreastcancer.org.

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