Vouchers still available to cover mammogram costs

7/9/2015

7/9/2015 (Knox, IN) - Vouchers are still available to cover the cost of screening mammograms and some diagnostic follow-up procedures for women in Starke and Marshall counties who are due for their annual mammograms. The vouchers are for low-income, uninsured or underinsured women age 40 and older, and women of any age who are at high risk for breast cancer. Individuals who believe they quality for a screening mammogram and need a voucher may call Josephine Klicek, director of diagnostic imaging, at 574-772-1143 to leave a confidential message. Physician offices who would like to use the vouchers for their patients should call The Foundation office to get a supply at 219-326.2471.

The La Porte Hospital Foundation, on behalf of Indiana University Health Starke Hospital and the Starke Health Fund, was awarded a $4,500 grant from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT), Inc., in support of the La Porte Hospital Foundation Breast Cancer Project. The project works with IU Health Starke Hospital and the Starke Health Fund, to create a comprehensive effort for early detection of breast cancer in our communities. The project seeks funding partners to support community-wide efforts of the IU Health Starke Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Department related to breast health education, clinical breast exams and mammograms to assist in early detection. The IBCAT grant is one result of these efforts.

IBCAT funds the grant through the sale of the state's breast cancer awareness license plates. Since the plate was first made available in 2002, the program has funded more than 16,000 screening mammograms for underserved Hoosier women, and awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to support the programs.

The mission of the IBCAT is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening and diagnosis throughout Indiana. All Indiana residents may purchase an Indiana breast cancer awareness license plate by visiting their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or the BMV website at in.gov/bmv. Of the $40 specialty plate fee, $25 is a direct tax-deductible donation to the IBCAT. The plate can be purchased for use on passenger cars, trucks and recreational vehicles up to 11,000 pounds, and motorcycles.

The Indiana breast cancer awareness license plate was the brainchild of the late Nancy Jaynes, a Plymouth High School Family and Consumer Sciences teacher. Nancy lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008. Her vision that the license plate be a traveling billboard and reminder about the importance of early detection and prevention of breast cancer is alive and making a difference to thousands of Hoosiers.

For more information on IBCAT, call 866.724.2228 or visit breastcancerplate.org.

For more information about the La Porte Hospital Foundation Breast Cancer Project, please contact the Foundation office at 219.326.2471 or toll-free 877.265.4539, or visit iuhealth.org/laportefoundation.

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