A significant health initiative has emerged in College Station, Texas, as the Brazos Valley Pink Alliance unveiled their ‘Think Pink Mammogram Days’ at the 22nd Annual Surviving & Thriving Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon. With breast cancer affecting one in eight women at some point in their lives, this initiative is crucial in improving access to screenings.
In collaboration with the Brazos Valley Women’s Center, the Pink Alliance aims to ensure that anyone in need of a mammogram can receive one, regardless of their insurance status. Tracy Paine, the Board Secretary of Pink Alliance, emphasized, “We don’t want anyone who needs a mammogram to go without one.”
This initiative has been in development for several years and will be hosted at the Brazos Valley Women’s Center, conveniently located at 1602 Rock Prairie Road, College Station, TX. Paine explained the choice of this facility, stating, “We picked them for several reasons. One, they’re really easy to work with. Two, they’re right on the bus route, so there’s no barrier for transportation.”
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The scheduled mammogram screenings will occur from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the second Friday of each month, starting November 14. Both men and women in the Brazos Valley can pre-schedule their mammograms, and the Pink Alliance will cover costs, including deductibles.
Paine indicated that the scheduling process is designed to be straightforward. “The reservations are going to be really easy, and anyone can schedule their mammogram through [Brazos Valley Women’s Center], and then Pink Alliance will pay for them,” she stated. “If you have a deductible, you don’t have to worry about that either. We’ll take care of all of that.”
At the luncheon, guests heard from Heidi Floyd, a two-time breast cancer survivor, advocate, and author. She highlighted the significance of early detection and equitable access to healthcare, stating, “I think awareness is one thing, but action is another. And these women [in Pink Alliance] are putting their feet on the street and saying, this really matters.”
Floyd shared her experience of being diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with her fourth child. She reflected on the journey, saying, “There were certain times when you could either just kind of go down that dark hole and cry forever or look at the situation and say, this is absolutely preposterous.” To cope with her illness, she turned to humor and positivity, advising, “Find that one special thing. If it’s humor, if it’s joy, find it and cling to it.”
To further support those affected by breast cancer, the Pink Alliance invites survivors to join their bi-monthly support group. Gatherings occur on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at First Financial Bank. Paine expressed, “Anybody who’s a survivor of breast cancer is welcome. Newly diagnosed, diagnosed a long time ago, we would love to have everybody there.”
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