South Whidbey Breast Cancer Screenings
As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund will kick off a new program to help women on South Whidbey get breast-cancer screenings, regardless of their ability to pay. Soroptimists International of South Whidbey has donated the funds to Friends of Friends for this program. Volunteer project coordinator, Friends of Friends advisory board member Patty Willson says, "With this program we hope to insure that any woman living on South Whidbey who needs a mammogram, either for routine screening or diagnostic purposes, can get one without concern for cost, whether or not she has insurance."
In partnership with Whidbey General Hospital and Radia Medical Imaging, the mammograms will be provided at Whidbey General Hospital or Whidbey General South. The test must be ordered by a physician or health practitioner and must be part of a complete breast exam by the practitioner. Friends of Friends will cover any uncovered costs of the office visit required to order a mammography.
The program begins October 1. If you cannot otherwise afford a mammogram, contact Friends of Friends at PO Box 812, Langley, WA 98260, or your health care provider. Primary-care doctors on South Whidbey have information sheets explaining the program in more detail.
Friends of Friends Medical Support Fund is a grassroots community-supported fund offering financial relief for medical bills to people on South Whidbey. In just the first six months of 2001, this fund paid uncovered medical costs—billings from doctors, hospitals, laboratories, and dentists, prescription drugs, medical transportation, etc.,—on behalf of more than 60 people. Founded in 1997, Friends of Friends is supported by fundraising events and donations from individuals, community organizations, local foundations, and businesses on South Whidbey. Friends of Friends has been the recipient of grants from Whidbey Island Hospital Foundation. The fund is administered by volunteers and donations are tax deductible