Houston, TX [July 30, 2018] – Brazoria County is one of the fastest growing counties in the region with a population of more than 330,000. Growth, plus the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, has increased the number of needs that must be met by the United Way of Brazoria County (UWBC). As part of addressing needs in Brazoria County, UWBC has awarded a new grant of $90,000 to The Rose to expand access to affordable breast healthcare.
The gift will provide 240 underserved patients with screenings, diagnostic services and access to treatment via the Strengthening the Brazoria County Safety-Net (SBCSN) Program. The grant will also partially cover the salary of the Community Engagement Navigator and longtime resident of Clute, Candice Saxton. Two key elements offered by The Rose, the Community Engagement Team and the Patient Navigation Program, work to guide women and provide a coordinated continuum of care from the initial screening through treatment.
Community Engagement Navigators (CENs), such as Candice, provide education and awareness plus coordinate mobile mammography events within the community. Candice has been in this role for one year and a half, and will continue to expand the SBCSN Program, create new partnerships for The Rose 3D Mobile Mammography Program, and generate awareness about breast health.
Patient Navigators are key to moving uninsured women who are diagnosed into treatment, by arranging for entrance into treatment facilities, assisting with paperwork, translation, education, as well as providing prosthesis, hairpieces and other resources to expedite healing and recovery.
Annually, The Rose serves over 40,000 women from 40 counties in Southeast Texas and last year they diagnosed 380 women, and moved 193 uninsured women into treatment.
Dorothy Gibbons, CEO and Co-Founder of The Rose, explains that the partnership with UWBC ensures those critical steps involved in reaching women, first with education and next with services. “UWBC allows us to bring quality breast healthcare to women where they live, work and pray. Their investment in Community Engagement staff and service will provide access to women who otherwise would go without critical care. Brazoria County is fortunate to have support from the UWBC who share our belief that breast healthcare is for all and help us reach women who we wouldn’t be able to take care of due to lack of resources.”
To be eligible for the services, individuals must be a resident of Brazoria County and provide documentation of a net household family income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
To schedule a media interview with any member of our board, please contact Lis Harper at 281-846-5976 or email [email protected]. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.therose.org.
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided high quality breast healthcare to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Its 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 led by Fellowship trained physicians and offers advanced digital technology including 3-D tomosynthesis mammography, diagnostic workups, biopsies and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As a major part of Southeast Texas’ Healthcare Safety Net, The Rose is a strong advocate for quality breast healthcare and access to care. The Rose provides direct medical services to 40,000 insured and uninsured patients annually. Two Houston-based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 43 counties in Southeast Texas.
