WE CARE MANATEE, INC. RECEIVES $320,000 FOR BREAST HEALTH FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, MANATEE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE ADMINISTRATION
Contact: Victoria Kasdan. Executive Director
941-755-3952 ext. 2 / victoria@wecaremanatee.org
Bradenton, Florida, October 13, 2016—We Care Manatee, Inc. (We Care) is pleased to announce it has received $320,000 in restricted funding from the State of Florida Department of Health, Manatee County Health Department, and the State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration in support of We Care’s breast health and wellness services for uninsured Manatee County residents. Specifically, the grant will provide for preventive screening mammograms delivered through a mobile unit with 3-D mammography.
According to Dr. Jennifer Bencie, Health Officer for the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County, “Early detection of breast cancer is the key to successfully battling this disease. We are pleased to see these grant funds being used to assist women who otherwise wouldn’t have access to mammography for advanced screenings.”
Since 1999, We Care has supported the needs of the County’s uninsured population by connecting eligible patients to locally-delivered care and health-related services they need when they need them. We Care’s breast health and wellness offering provides preventive and diagnostic mammograms, as well as breast ultrasound, breast biopsy, MRI and surgical consultation at no charge. This significant award will benefit We Care’s program and the community.
“This generous, timely support will maintain the great momentum we gathered last year in helping more than 700 patients get needed breast health care and support, and we are grateful for having received it,” said Victoria Kasdan, R.N., MPH We Care Manatee executive director. “It’s estimated that one in eight U.S. women (about 12 percent) will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Prevention, early detection and early treatment are key in the fight against breast cancer so it’s important that all women have access to preventive screening, as well as diagnostic and effective treatment modalities, regardless of their ability to pay. Proceeds from this grant will allow us to continue our efforts toward early detection at no cost to low-income, uninsured women in our community.”
We Care Manatee offers free specialty physician referrals, pharmaceutical assistance, breast health and wellness services and a primary care clinic to those in need. We Care’s programs cover the full spectrum of health care with a focus on prevention, treatment and management of both acute and chronic conditions. By facilitating access, and eliminating cost for medical resources, We Care Manatee works to improve the health of its patients and reduce the likelihood or need for costlier care at the expense of the community.
About We Care Manatee, Inc.
We Care Manatee, Inc. provides free, quality medical care and referral services to low-income, uninsured adult residents of Manatee County, Florida. Patients receive the critical treatment they need to keep them healthy, out of local emergency rooms, and on the job. Our services are provided by volunteer physicians from the local community.
Partnerships with community hospitals, and alliances with other medical facilities, enable us to give our patients the quality care they need, from local providers they trust. We are funded though individual and corporate donations, government and private grants, and in-kind contributions. For more information, visit www.wecaremanatee.org.
