The Rose Honors Patients and Recognizes Supporters in October
Houston, TX – This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Rose launches the “Standing With The Community” campaign to honor the women impacted by breast cancer and to recognize the community partners who help ensure no woman is turned away for breast care because she can’t afford a mammogram.
During this campaign, The Rose will:
- share real stories of breast cancer survivors to inspire hope;
- launch a 31-day marathon of The Rose’s podcast, “Let’s Talk About Your Breasts” to educate listeners about the importance of screening mammograms; and
- celebrate the local supporters who stand with The Rose to make breast care accessible to all.
Among the women The Rose recently cared for is Vanessa. She escaped an abusive relationship with her two young children while seeking help for a growing lump in her breast. With no income, no insurance, and at only 29 years old, Vanessa’s options were limited. Advocates at the shelter connected her with The Rose.
“I had no support system, but I came out with my life,” says Vanessa. “And The Rose made sure I got the care I needed.”
Vanessa’s story reflects the complex challenges many women face navigating breast cancer, they may also be experiencing trauma, displacement, or abuse. Care is not just about medicine. It’s about safety, dignity, and a sense of belonging. We stand behind every patient who visits The Rose, no matter what the circumstance.
Businesses, local organizations, and school districts are stepping up to support The Rose and the women it serves throughout October. Partners such as Alief ISD, Chicken N Pickle, Edit by Elaine Turner, Little Woodrow’s, Nice Winery, Serve Up A Cure, and The Royal Standard are helping make certain that every woman, regardless of income or insurance status, has access to a mammogram. A regularly updated list of community events open to the public can be found here.
From restaurants offering dessert sales and cocktail fundraisers, to fitness walks, and golf tournaments, there are hundreds of ways our community partners are turning awareness into action, hosting events that directly fund services for The Rose’s uninsured patients.
“The Rose stands with the women in Southeast Texas because our partners in the greater Houston area stand with The Rose,” says Dorothy Gibbons, Co-Founder and CEO of The Rose. “We can’t say thank you enough for their support, it truly means breast cancers are being caught earlier, and lives are being saved.”
The Rose continues to be a pioneer in breast health initiatives such as their Mobile Mammography Program, which operates across 45 counties in Southeast Texas and brings essential screening services to underserved areas, where access to healthcare is limited or nonexistent. For the many women who might otherwise miss their mammogram, these mobile coaches provide a lifeline. In fact, 77% of mobile patients reported that they would not have been screened if The Rose had not brought care to their community.
In 2024, The Rose diagnosed 400 women with breast cancer, highlighting the critical role early detection plays in saving lives.
To schedule a media interview with any member of The Rose, please contact Ivis Batista at 978-885-7306 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 a full range of breast health services to more than one million patients. Its mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As one of 12 ACR Designated Comprehensive Breast Imaging Centers in Houston, The Rose is led by Fellowship trained physicians 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 access to care. Annually, The Rose provides direct medical services to 40,000 insured and uninsured patients. Two Houston-based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and a fleet of Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 45 counties in Southeast Texas.
