Alton Bank has donated $10,000 to the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation’s fundraising initiative for a mobile mammography unit.
The funds will be used to help with costs associated with the purchase of a mobile mammography unit to help make routine breast cancer screenings more accessible for women across the Ozarks.
“We are extremely grateful for the support and focus Alton Bank has shown on our region’s health,” said Josh Reeves, vice president of development at Ozarks Healthcare. “Their donation will make an impact on the health and wellbeing of our region, improve the rate of early detection of breast cancer and most importantly, help save the lives of friends, family and neighbors.”
“Myself, Kendall, and Michael Combs are proud to continue the tradition of our parents, Donald and Alice Combs, in supporting various programs at Ozarks Healthcare,” said Alton bank owner and President Randall Combs. “The mobile mammography unit will be a great addition to our region.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S., behind some kinds of skin cancer. Finding breast cancer early reduces risk of death from the disease by 25-30% or more. Women should begin having mammograms yearly at age 40, or earlier if they're at high risk. Annual mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most curable stages.
Many women put off getting a mammogram due to inconvenience, note foundation officials, adding that studies also show women who are underinsured or uninsured are 35% more likely to have a mammogram offered by a mobile mammography unit versus going to an outpatient setting.
The Ozarks Healthcare Foundation is currently seeking pledges and donations for the campaign from individuals, businesses and other organizations. Any business or organization interested in making a donation is asked to call the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation at 417-853-5200 or contact Reeves directly at j.reeves@ozhcare.com. Individual donations can be collected online at www.ozarkshealthcare.com/support-us/foundation/mobile-mammography-unit-campaign.
The Ozarks Healthcare Foundation, established in 1998 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with a local board of directors, serves as a liaison between donors and Ozarks Healthcare to assist the hospital in providing excellent healthcare to the communities it serves. For more information or to make a gift to the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation, call 417-853-5200 or visit www.ozarkshealthcare.com/support-us/foundation/.
