After a weekend of fundraising for The Rose,assisting at the record-breaking Bikers Against Breast Cancer Kickoff for the nonprofit breast health organization, Barbara Gray wasn’t quite finished. She took the time this week to think Me2 and as a result, an uninsured woman will benefit.
Me2 is an awareness campaign launched by The Rose that encourages women to address a major barrier to accessing care – the tendency to put off personal health priorities as they care for others.
Barbara, owner of Grayco Communications and a frequent sponsor of events at The Rose, enlisted her mother and sisters to ensure that not only were they caring for themselves, but also completing the “me plus two” aspect of The Rose.
“As insured women, we knew that when just three of us make our appointments here at The Rose, we can help another woman,” said the LaPorte resident while waiting for her scheduled mammogram.
Belle Grambow of Deer Park was obviously proud of the generous spirits of her daughters. She also added a note of historical reference when the talk around the table turned to the actual mammogram.
“It used to be just cruel,” she injected. “It was this contraption that caused pain, but not now.”
Bridget Wallace, the youngest of the sisters and a resident of Deer Park, particularly praised The Rose staff who have totally eliminated the “sweaty palms” she used to experience in anticipation of her annual screening. “Now … it’s a breeze,” she added.
Beverly Gutierrez of Deer Park and the oldest sister put the day in perspective. “I know a young woman who had no insurance and had to come because she was concerned about an issue. I like the idea that we are helping someone like her. Plus, now she has insurance and tells everyone to come to The Rose.”
“Through our Me2 campaign, we want to encourage women to let go of their fear and take the time to think about their own health by scheduling an annual mammogram,” said Dorothy Gibbons, the CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose. “We particularly celebrate this family who understand The Rose’s model of having three insured women support one uninsured . We simply could not do what we do without such great community support.”
