FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kim Kaiser
Essentia Health Marketing & Communications
(218) 786-4154
October 4, 2012
‘Think Pink’ battles breast cancer and helps patients
The Essentia Health Cancer Center has teamed up with a local radio station to increase awareness about breast cancer and raise money to support women battling the disease.
October’s “Think Pink” campaign features a breast cancer patient or survivor sharing her story at 7:40 a.m. each Monday on Froggy FM 99.9. The weekly interviews are part of “Jesse & Amanda with Pike in the Morning” and then are posted on the station’s website, froggyweb.com.
During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Essentia Health Cancer Center reminds women to do breast self-exams and make sure they are up-to-date on their mammogram screenings. Early detection saves lives.
The American Cancer Society recommends women age 40 and older get a mammogram and a breast exam by a healthcare professional every year. Such breast exams are recommended every three years for women ages 20-39. Talk to your physician or healthcare provider if you have any symptoms or if you have a family history of breast cancer.
The “Think Pink” campaign also offers an opportunity to help breast cancer patients and their families pay for items such as gas, lodging and wigs. The Essentia Health Regional Foundation offers help through its Cancer Center Fund. Donations will be matched by the Dakota Medical Foundation.
“At the Essentia Health Cancer Center, breast cancer patients and their families are never alone in their journey,” says Jon Benson, the foundation’s vice president and executive director. “The center’s patient navigator and care teams are with them every step of the way. By helping provide these ‘comfort’ items, our donors are partnering to impact patients’ lives so they can focus on their healing road ahead.”
There are three ways to donate:
• Online: Online: Go to EssentiaHealth.org/Foundation. Click on “Essentia Health Regional Foundation,” then “Make a Gift.” You can choose “Essentia Health Cancer Center Fund” in the form and note in the comment box that your donation is for “Think Pink
• Mail: Send a check to the Essentia Health Regional Foundation, 3000 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58103. Please designate your donation for “Think Pink” or the Essentia Health Cancer Center Fund.
• Call: Jon Benson, the foundation’s vice president and executive director, at 701.364.8019
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$100,000 grant
In September, Essentia Health Regional Foundation was awarded a $100,000 match grant from Dakota Medical Foundation (DMF), which will be used toward the establishment of the Essentia Health Regional Foundation.
HeartSafe
Essentia Health is teaming up with the Fargo Fire Department and Dakota Medical Foundation to double the number of life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in local businesses in the HeartSafe Fargo project. The program aims to check about 250 existing devices and add another 250, as well as provide CPR and AED training.
Doctor of the Year
On Nov. 5, six medical professionals in Essentia Health’s West Region were recognized at the Doctor of the Year awards event in Fargo. The event honored:
- Dr. Joel Haugen, 2011 Colleague of the Year, Fargo
- Dr. Matthew Kammerer, 2011 Colleague of the Year, Regional
- Dr. Steve Strinden and Dr. Wesley Ofstedal, 2011 Community Physician of the Year
- Jennifer Schlauderaff and Jean Evams, 2011 Health Champion of the Year (non-physician award)