Chicot Memorial Hospital: You Go Girl - Delta Breast Health Initiative

Grant Award Amount: $9,960

Institution: Chicot Memorial Hospital Project Director: Mellie Boagni-Watson Address: 2729 Highway 65 & 82 South Lake Village, AR 71653 Phone: (870) 265-9392 Email: watsonm@chicotmemorial.com Type of Grant: Education, Screening Counties Served: Ashley, Chicot, Deshea

The “You Go Girl” Initiative 2009-2010 will continue to encourage all generations of women in the community to unite against breast cancer by building a support network with family members. The goal of the project is to continue to increase breast health and breast cancer awareness among women in Chicot County and surrounding communities; specifically focusing on the hard to reach rural population. The project will provide six educational seminars in the community throughout the grant cycle; educating and instructing women of all generations on self-breast exams and the importance of yearly mammograms after age 40. The Initiative will also provide an additional 100 free screening mammograms and 100 clinical breast exams to women who do not qualify for mammograms or yearly exams due to lack of insurance coverage, Medicaid, Medicare, or the BreastCare program. Vouchers for these services are available at local physician offices. In October 2009, the Initiative will recognize Breast Health Awareness and Breast Cancer month by hosting a ladies’ luncheon sponsoring speakers and recognizing local survivors of the disease. Last year’s luncheon netted over $6,000.00 for a local cancer fund to assist local cancer patients with expenses.