The American-Italian Cancer Foundation is dedicated to providing no-cost, life-saving breast cancer screening services to the women who need it most. Their stories give our work meaning and purpose, and we are proud to share some of them below:
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The Mobile Care Clinic was hosted by Iris House in Harlem on July 25, 2014. Iris House provides advocacy and services to women, families, and communities affected by HIV/AIDS. Kathryn works with Iris house and coordinated the screening event with AICF. She was also getting her 3rd mammogram. Kathryn was very pleased to be coordinating this event and very happy to see women in her community come out to get their mammograms. Kathryn commented “they definitely wouldn’t have gotten their annual breast cancer screening if it were not for the Mobile Care Clinic coming to their neighborhood!” |
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Carmen first screened with us in 2012 at age 58. After her breast cancer screening on our Mobile Care Clinic, our Patient Navigator contacted her for follow-up diagnostic testing. The Patient Navigator explained the results, and provided Carmen with diagnostic testing options and continued to follow Carmen and assist her with navigating the healthcare system through her cancer diagnosis and eventual treatment. Today our Patient Navigator continues to contact Carmen reminding her to schedule her annual mammogram. Carmen welcomes our Patient Navigator's calls. During our recent conversation with Carmen in August 2014, she commented to us that she is very touched that we call to remind her year after year and even though she is vigilant of her appointments, it feels good to know that someone else is too. She feels cared for and supported by AICF.
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Sadie had her second breast cancer screening with us on August 3, 2014. Sadie was very excited about screening with us again. Sadie has a health clinic she visits for regular check-up but they do not have breast cancer screening services and she finds other facilities difficult to reach. Sadie also greatly appreciates our reminder calls and texts which ensure that she never misses her appointment. Sadie is so pleased with our services that she has volunteered to do outreach in her neighborhood. |
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Beatriz and Maria were very grateful to have the opportunity of receiving their breast cancer screening on August 27, 2014. Both are uninsured and had not been able to find a no-cost program. Beatriz and Maria learned about AICF’s Mobile, No-cost Breast Cancer Screening Program from Colombian Consulate when they came to file documents – the site coordinator informed them about the screening and they schedule their appointment immediately! |
Maria scheduled her breast cancer screening on our Mobile Care Clinic for November 12th 2014. Maria screened with us two years ago but we had been unable to reach her until this November. When we spoke to Maria we learned that she was very scared of being screened. Maria’s sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013 and she was scared she would be too. Maria made the appointment with us but our Patient Navigator sensed that Maria was not going to follow through so she called Maria a few days before her appointment and talk to her about her concerns, and the importance of early detection. Maria seemed more at ease and promised she would keep her appointment. Maria kept her appointment and commented to the intake staff on our Mobile Care Clinic that getting that extra support and guidance from our Patient Navigator made all the difference for her. Maria also expressed her gratitude to us and promises to get her yearly mammogram moving forward.
