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ARTICLES |
Philanthropy at a Glance |
Summa Thinks Pink!
The "Summa Screens" program provides breast education and free mammogram screening, follow-up diagnostic mammograms and ultrasounds to low-income, underinsured or uninsured women. Mammograms are the most effective tool for diagnosing breast cancer at its earliest, most treatable stage. Recent research has shown if detected early, a woman has up to a 93% five-year survival rate from breast cancer. More than 50,000 women aged 40+ in Summit County need mammography screenings. Uninsured and underinsured women often do not get this potentially lifesaving screening. in fact, they represent 85% of women who are least likely to get mammograms. Summa Screens makes these services available for women in Summit, Medina, Portage, Stark and Wayne Counties regardless of their ability to pay. The screenings can be done at Summa Akron City Hospital in the 95 Arch building and the Summa Health Centers at Cuyahoga Falls, Green, Lake Medina, Western Reserve and White Pond. Summa Foundation issued a "call to action" and offered to make a $1 donation to the Summa Screens program for every new "like" Summa Health System received on Facebook throughout the month of October. More than 320 individuals supported the cause. On Thursday, October 6, the Firestone auditorium on the Summa Akron City campus was filled with pink. More than 300 Summa employees attended a discussion with Vivian von Gruenigen, M.D. and Heidi Eve-Cahoon, CNP. They spoke on the topic of breast cancer, self-examination and the importance of mammograms. Dr. von Gruenigen issued yet another "call to action" at the event. After making her own donation to the Summa Screens program, she challenged all attendees to consider donating to the program as well. Attendees responded to her challenge and raised $1,500 in support of the program. The event was generously sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer also was the subject of several blog posts on Summa Flourish® throughout the month of October. Topics included the importance of mammograms, breast cancer in men and an emotional story from one of our breast cancer survivor patients. To read the October breast cancer awareness month posts, visit: summaflourish.org. The women's board of Summa Health System came together and showed their support as well by making a significant gift of $14,210 to the Summa Screens program. This important gift will provide 100 mammograms to women in need. Members of the women's board also hosted their annual Breast Cancer Awarenesss Tulip Sale. Entitled "Bloom with the Board and Fight Breast Cancer, Too", the campaign was a celebration of life, survival and remembrance. Women's board members volunteered at various locations across the Summa Akron City Hospital campus to sell pink Darwin hybrid and pink Angeliques tulip bulbs. Think Pink and Support Summa Screens! This is your "call to action". Consider making a gift to support the Summa Screens program via phone by calling Summa Foundation at (330) 375-3159 or on-line (thesummafoundation.org). Under gift designation, enter "Summa Screens". Summa Screens Fast Facts:
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