Brazoria County, TX [August 1, 2019] – Four years ago, the United Way of Brazoria County (UWBC) made an investment in breast healthcare for its residents with an initial $75,000 gift to The Rose. This year, they again committed and increased the grant amount to $95,540 to provide more services to patients in Brazoria County. The grant will cover 2,100 patients with access to care and treatment via the Strengthening the Brazoria County Safety-Net (SBCSN) Program. UWBC’s gift will also support the nonprofit’s community engagement efforts to reach thousands of insured women in Brazoria County who aren’t able to receive care due to barriers like distance and time-off work.
“The grant will allow us to keep our Community Engagement Navigator and longtime resident of Clute, Candice Saxton, who has been in her education and navigation role for two and a half years,” says Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose. “She has been instrumental in significantly increasing awareness of The Rose and doubled the number of women we serve in this community. She has made all the difference for women needing care in Brazoria County.”
Gibbons points out, that the key to that woman’s life is an early breast cancer diagnosis, whether she is insured or uninsured. Statistically, early diagnosis makes all the difference for women and making sure patients get their routine and annual screenings in medically underserved counties like Brazoria is critical to fighting breast cancer.
“Unfortunately, lack of insurance is the first barrier women face when getting mammograms. If a follow up to an abnormal mammogram is needed, this grant allows us to provide that diagnostic. These services are vital in a county that has an estimated 40,000 adults who are uninsured,” she adds. “That’s why we are grateful for the continued support that United Way of Brazoria County is making to breast health care in this region.”
Saxton, who lives and works in this community, guides women through their initial mammogram appointments and if needed, through breast cancer treatment. She also arranges dates for Mobile Day events, engages in the community through health fairs and expos, and personally hand-delivers fliers to business and partners in the area. Last year, that meant coordinating 37 Brazoria County screening sites which served 758 patients, 168 of whom were uninsured. By bringing these services to medically underserved communities, The Rose is also able to reach insured women, and through this service fee revenue, it in turn helps support mammograms for uninsured women
Saxton also promotes the importance of early breast cancer detection screenings, and the availability of UWBC-sponsored care for medically underserved women at Brazoria County community events. She presented at nearly 20 events last year and disseminated information through local partners using print, broadcast and social media.
“While part of the story is told in numbers, the real impact of the UWBC gift is seen in the lives of women like Amy, a Brazoria County resident, who at 42, with three children, a history of breast cancer in her family, and no insurance was referred to The Rose,” Gibbons explained.
“Amy was eager to share her story as a grant recipient, she received all needed services through SBCSN and our sponsorship program. And, once diagnosed, she was able to have treatment.”
Throughout her chemotherapy and surgery, Amy’s navigator from The Rose was at her side. Because she was diagnosed early, she has a good prognosis and can look forward to a long life ahead.
To be eligible for services, individuals must be residents of Brazoria County and meet other requirements. For more information, please visit www.therose.org or call 281.464.5136. To schedule interviews, please call Mageida Sopon at 832.310.5124 or email [email protected].
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided high-quality breast healthcare to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Their mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, The Rose is one of only 14 Breast Centers in the greater Houston area to receive this designation. Led by Fellowship trained physicians, The Rose’s advanced digital technology includes 3D tomosynthesis mammography, diagnostic work-ups including biopsies and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As the leading nonprofit breast health organization in Texas, The Rose is a strong advocate for quality breast healthcare, a major part of the Healthcare Safety Net and serves 40,000 insured and uninsured women annually. Two Houston based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 40 counties in Southeast Texas. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.therose.org.
