By Judy Clabes
NKyTribune editor
The Maxon Foundation of U.S. Bank made a big announcement Monday at St. Elizabeth Foundation’s annual holiday luncheon, adding an exciting touch to the annual fundraising event.
Participating in the fashion show was a family affair. (Photo by Judy Clabes)
The news of a $1.5 million gift for a new mobile mammography unit pushed the funding for St. E.’s new Cancer Center to over half its goal. It was music to the ears of the cancer survivors and advocates in the full-house crowd at the Cincinnati Airport Marriott.
The Foundation’s holiday event, enjoys a 40-plus year history. Chaired by Missy Fisher and Brenda Palmer, the event’s proceeds this year were earmarked for the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center’s $30 million campaign.
Ground was broken for the $140 million Cancer Center in August. The 233,000-square-foot “multidisciplinary care” facility on the hospital’s Edgewood campus is expected to open in the summer of 2020. It will be the most comprehensive treatment facility in Greater Cincinnati.
Cancer survivors and those whose loved ones suffered from cancer were participants in the traditional style show; vendors provided plenty of holiday shopping opportunities.
The crowd heard from St. E. CEO Garren Colvin, Dr. Doug Flora, Executive Medical Director of Oncology Services, and Dr. Brooke Phillips, Oncologist and director of Precision Medicine.
Colvin spoke about eliminating stage 3 and 4 cancers in NKY — and even the possibility of eliminating stage 2 cancers — with early detection and cutting-edge treatment and diagnosis.
“Until we find a cure, early detection is the single most important strategy to improve survival,” he said.
A drawing of the new Cancer Center.
Drs. Flora and Phillips talked about the advances in diagnoses that improve outcomes — genetic testing and highly personalized “precision medicine” treatment tied to each individual’s genetic make-up.
All speakers lauded the “continuum of care” the new Cancer Center will provide, close to home.
Experts including medical oncologists, oncology surgeons, nurse navigators, research nurses, genetic counselors and many others will collaborate to provide cancer detection, diagnosis, treatment and prevention services all under one roof.
Kentucky leads the nation in cancer rates — and Boone, Kenton, and Campbell counties rank high in the state for annual cancer diagnoses.
The Maxon Foundation’s new mobile mammography unit will help meet the needs of rural populations in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. The grant includes $1 million for a van and the attendant screening technology and another $500,000 for maintenance to protect the investment for years to come.
Dr. Doug Flora
The gift, following St. Elizabeth’s recent groundbreaking on a $140 million world-class cancer center – and launch of a $30 million capital campaign to support it – will put Northern Kentucky on the map for innovative, personalized cancer care.
“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women — one in eight women will develop it over the course of her lifetime,” said Carri Chandler, St. Elizabeth Foundation vice president. “Our greatest defense is early detection. And with this generous gift from The Maxon Foundation, we can be right here for even more women, helping them fight cancer in the communities where they live and work.”
The van will bring screening services to predominantly rural and medically underserved regions where access to healthcare poses yet another challenge to women already disadvantaged by low income, multiple and conflicting responsibilities, and lack of exposure to preventive care and health education.
Dr. Brooke Phillips
The unit will offer digital mammography and tomosynthesis (3D mammograms) by appointment and on a walk-in basis – no doctor’s order needed – for women age 40 and older. In addition to facilitating screenings, staff on board will provide preventive health education, support and linkage to follow-up care when needed.
“Many of these women face significant barriers to obtaining healthcare – not just transportation issues, but cultural, financial and educational constraints,” said Madonna Vinicombe, St. Elizabeth’s mobile mammography program manager. “A lot of the women we screen have never even had a mammogram, even though they’re well past 40, the recommended age for annual screenings. This service is literally lifesaving for these vulnerable populations.”
The new addition to the mobile mammography fleet will be on the road by mid-2019, visiting businesses, local health departments and other venues, such as schools, churches, grocery stores, and public events. In the meantime, women can visit stelizabeth.com/mobilemammography or call (859) 655-7400 to find out when the van currently in service will be at a location near them.
To schedule a visit at your business or organization, call (859) 301-2031.
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Please see the NKyTribune’s story about the groundbreaking for the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center.
