VNA Health Care gets grant from American Cancer Society, NFL to fight breast cancer in Aurora
The National Football League's A Crucial Catch Initiative has provided another year of funding to support increased access to breast cancer education and screening resources in underserved communities through the American Cancer Society.
The American Cancer Society has awarded a $50,000 Community Health Advocates implementing National Grants for Empowerment (CHANGE) grant to VNA Health Care to continue efforts to increase breast cancer screening rates for minority women ages 40 and older in the greater Aurora area.
Aurora was one of 31 cities within 100 miles of an NFL team selected for grant funding based on breast cancer screening and mortality rates. VNA Health Care plans to reach local women to increase awareness of the importance of having annual mammograms beginning at 40 years of age. In addition, VNA aims to provide 100 no-cost screening mammograms to underserved women who are age and risk eligible.
"The CHANGE grant and kickoff event will strengthen VNA's reach into the underserved community, helping us to increase our breast cancer screening rates of minority women," says Chrissie Howorth, vice president of philanthropy and business relations. "We are thrilled to partner with the American Cancer Society and National Football League on this initiative."
The grant will also be used to support "A Crucial Catch Day - Your Day to Fight Breast Cancer" community health event on Saturday, Oct. 25, in Aurora, to provide free lifesaving breast cancer education and screening. Women are invited to come out to the free event and learn ways to reduce the risk of breast cancer and the importance of the early detection of breast cancer.
VNA's event takes place at its location at 400 N. Highland Ave. in Aurora and includes health education, healthy snacks, free chair massage, live guitar music and fun activities for the entire family.
According to the American Cancer Society, disparities predominantly arise from inequities in work, wealth, income, education, housing, and overall standard of living, as well as social barriers to high-quality cancer prevention, early detection and treatment services. The society collaborates with community health partners to reach individuals in communities with higher burdens of cancer and limited access to cancer screening. Through the CHANGE program, the society provides grant opportunities to increase breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening rates in those communities.
Since 2011, CHANGE has awarded 300 grants within underserved communities across the country; educating more than 607,000 individuals about cancer risk and prevention, and providing over 140,000 cancer screenings.
Since 2009, the NFL has donated $4.6 million to the American Cancer Society in support of the fight to end breast cancer. Over the past three years, $4 million of that total has supported the CHANGE program. More than 72,000 women have received breast cancer prevention and early detection outreach and education, and over 10,000 breast cancer screenings have taken place. The NFL's A Crucial Catch initiative is funded primarily through the sale of breast cancer awareness-identified pink items at retail, available at NFLShop.com and in stadium retail stores, and autograph merchandise at NFL auction. One hundred percent of the net proceeds from merchandise sales and auctions are donated to the American Cancer Society.
The NFL does not profit from the sale or auction of pink merchandise. For more information, visit nfl.com/pink.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grass-roots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the society's efforts have contributed to a 20-percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50-percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to its progress, nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we celebrate 100 years of service, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
About VNA Health Care
VNA Health Care provides affordable health care to over 59,600 women, men and children living primarily in Kane, DuPage, and Will counties. VNA runs 9 community health centers and is nationally ranked as a top performing health center as a result of patient outcomes such as high quality prenatal care, control of diabetes, and up-to-date immunizations for children. VNA's combination of convenience (by appointment or walk-in), patient-centered technology and expert care delivered with respect and compassion have led to these results. VNA is accredited by The Joint Commission.