Pink Ribbon Journey Begins at Bayhealth Center
| Contact: |
Susan Oates Marketing/PR Consultant, DBCC 302.475.7905 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) |
October 27, 2009—Wilmington, DE – Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) has formed a new partnership with Bayhealth Medical Center, a member of the Penn Cancer Network, to bring Beginning Your Pink Ribbon Journey to newly diagnosed breast cancer survivors. “Everyone who receives a diagnosis of breast cancer is immediately referred to as a ‘survivor’ because she has already begun her journey toward becoming one,” says Lois Wilkinson, Special Projects Manager, DBCC. “The support and resources she will need and that are available to her along the way is the focus of the Beginning Your Pink Ribbon Journey program.”
Bayhealth Cancer Institute professional staff—including Melanie McCarraher, LCSW Cancer Care Coordinator; Jennifer Nack, RN Cancer Care Coordinator; Paula Hess, MSN, RN Screening Nurse Navigator; and Trisha Bentley, BSN, RN Breast Care Coordinator—facilitates the free monthly program with assistance from Wilkinson. Together, they share information about the programs and resources available at Bayhealth, through DBCC, and other organizations within the local community.
“A diagnosis of breast cancer can be overwhelming for women,” says Bentley, “so we want to ease their journey by sharing information about the resources that are available to them. They may have financial concerns about their medical care, transportation issues with getting to treatment, or they may need the support of a counselor to help them deal with the emotional side of facing breast cancer. We help to connect them with Bayhealth services to address these concerns, and more.”
In addition, Wilkinson shares information about resources available through DBCC. A lifeline for many newly diagnosed women is the Peer Mentor Program for one-on-one support from a long-term survivor, and DBCC’s survivor programs and social events enable them to meet and spend time with other survivors for support and reassurance that they’re not alone and that there is life after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Beginning Your Pink Ribbon Journey is offered on the second Thursday of each month from 5:30-7:30 PM, with light refreshments and free gifts provided. The location alternates each month between Bayhealth Cancer Center locations in Dover and Milford, as listed below. To register for an upcoming session, call 302.672.6435.
Oct/Dec/Feb/Apr/June/Aug
Bayhealth Cancer Center at Kent
540 S. Governors Ave., Ste. 100A
Dover, DE 19901
Nov/Jan/Mar/May/Jul/Sept
Bayhealth Cancer Center at Milford
22 West Clarke
Milford, DE 19963
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About Bayhealth Cancer Center
Bayhealth Medical Center’s mission is to improve the health status of all members of the Bayhealth community. Central and Southern Delaware’s largest healthcare system, Bayhealth is comprised of Kent General and Milford Memorial Hospitals, Middletown Medical Center and numerous satellite facilities. Bayhealth was ranked Best in Delaware for Cardiac Surgery by HealthGrades 2008 and was recognized by J.D. Power and Associates for the second year in a row for providing an “Outstanding Inpatient Experience.” Bayhealth is a technologically advanced not-for-profit healthcare system employing over 2,900 with a medical staff of 449 physicians. Bayhealth is a member of the Penn Cancer Network and an affiliate of Penn Medicine– Penn Cardiac Care. In the 2008 fiscal year, Bayhealth recorded 73,189 emergency department visits, 17,448 patients admitted to beds and 2,454 births. Last year, as part of its mission, Bayhealth provided more than $30.9 million in unreimbursed care to patients. A not-for-profit organization, Bayhealth supports our community through services or programs for the uninsured, underserved and for the broader community.
About the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC)
The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, Inc. (DBCC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and a state-wide organization with offices in Dover, Lewes and Wilmington. The mission of the agency is to empower our community by raising awareness of breast health issues through outreach, education and support services, in order to facilitate the early detection and treatment of breast cancer. The vision of the agency is to create a community where every person diagnosed with breast cancer is a survivor, and fear and doubt are replaced with knowledge and hope.
DBCC reaches diverse communities to deliver messages that address their unique concerns about breast cancer and early detection, and helps to facilitate free or reduced-cost care and screening mammograms for women with low incomes or with little or no insurance. DBCC also supports research into the causes of breast cancer and the pursuit of optimal treatments and cures by helping to facilitate participation in local clinical trials.