Gather For The Cure Helps Lower Financial Issues Over Breast Cancer Testing
The first Gather for the Cure Event on Saturday, Oct. 2 will help lower the financial barrier leading to essential breast imaging.
The first-ever Gather for the Cure event at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Oct. 2 will celebrate survivorship, provide education and resources and support the Genesis Voucher Program.
“Cost should not be a barrier to accessing what may be life-saving breast imaging,’’ said Diane Koster, Genesis Women’s Health Grant Program Specialist. “Our goal with this event is to bring the Quad-Cities communities back together, to celebrate those who have survived and stand by those fighting, while remembering those we have lost.
“This inaugural event will lay the foundation to build a support plan for our community to fight breast cancer with the hope to continue for many years to come.’’
Koster explained that because the Susan G. Komen organization no longer is providing financial support to voucher programs in the Quad-Cities region, there is a funding gap to fill.
The Genesis Foundation and the Jim Victor Vision Fund have made a commitment to continue support of the Genesis Voucher Program. All new and increased gifts for the Center for Breast Health may qualify for a 1:1 match by the Jim Victor Vision Fund. This program will allow individuals to receive mammograms and other life-saving breast imaging services at no cost.
“Support and donations of any amount are appreciated and could be life-saving for a breast health patient,’’ Koster said. “We can’t sit back and wait for another funding source to emerge. The need exists now.’’
In the years 2019 and 2020, 454 individuals benefited from the Genesis Voucher Program. The program covered 288 screening mammograms, 139 diagnostic breast mammograms and 109 diagnostic breast ultrasounds. A total of $76,700 in breast health services were covered, relieving the financial burden for those using the services.
Gather for the Cure will kick-off Breast Cancer Awareness Month from 9-11 a.m. on Oct. 2 with live music, displays and information. Yard signs to celebrate survivors or those we remember will be available for purchase in advance of the event. All funds raised will benefit Quad-Cities voucher programs and Quad-Cities women and men.
For information about the event or the fundraising efforts, call Diane Koster at (563) 421-3081 or go to www.genesishealth.com/gather.
