Houston, TX [April 13, 2020] – When The Rose closed its doors on March 23, the breast healthcare organization had no more than 21 masks in stock at their two Houston facilities. They had nearly exhausted their entire PPE supply to provide biopsies for 62 women, all before COVID-19 abruptly halted their operations.
That was three weeks ago, and while the organization anxiously awaits the day they can reopen, they now have at least one less thing to worry about when that day comes. Due to a generous emergency grant from France-based Air Liquide Foundation, The Rose will be able to replenish their PPE stock, allowing them to continue providing critical diagnostic procedures to women who need it most.
“In our first two weeks of closure, we received 120 referrals from physicians for women who have symptoms of breast cancer,” says Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose. “These women will be our top priority upon reopening and thanks to the Air Liquide Foundation grant we will continue providing services needed — safely and with compassion.”
Gibbons noted that Air Liquide Foundation was the first to provide an emergency assistance grant to the organization. “In fact,” she said, “they reached out to us, assuring us that they were ready to help and asking what was our greatest need. Once we responded, they approved our request in less than three days!” Once the grant was approved, Gibbons said they began an aggressive search for PPE vendors and were able to re-order supplies. Already, supplies are on the way and The Rose is slated to reopen soon.
The Rose provides mammography and diagnostic work-ups to insured and uninsured patients, and is already taking into consideration how the pandemic will impact their community. Although the organization is estimated to lose approximately $900,000 of insured patient revenue due to the temporary closure of their offices, they want women to know that they can still turn to The Rose.
“We absolutely refuse to turn uninsured patients away that need breast health care,” says Gibbons. “These patients are already fearful of this pandemic; we do not want them worrying about how they will pay for their mammograms when we reopen our diagnostic centers.”
Donations to The Rose can be made via their website, www.TheRose.org. To schedule interviews, please contact Mageida Sopon at 832-310-5124 or [email protected].
About The Rose
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 3-D 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. Since 1986, The Rose has led strong advocacy efforts for quality breast healthcare, and been on the forefront of innovation in breast healthcare. As a major specialty care provider within the Healthcare Safety Net system, The Rose is considered to be a leading nonprofit in breast healthcare. Annually, The Rose serves 40,000 insured and uninsured women and men. With two Houston-based comprehensive Breast Diagnostic Centers and a Mobile Mammography Health Program, The Rose provides services to women throughout 41 counties in Southeast Texas.
About Fondation Air Liquide
Created in 2008, the Air Liquide Foundation demonstrates the Group’s commitment to being a responsible enterprise. The Foundation contributes, on the one hand, to research and science education on air quality and respiratory diseases and, on the other hand, to professional integration and development projects in the Territories where the Group is present.
