WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | Breast cancer tag funds support Sumter Regional

Breast cancer tag funds support Sumter Regional

Jun. 12, 2008

AMERICUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Sumter Regional Hospital is well on it's way toward regaining the capacity it had before the March 1, 2007 tornado.

The hospital has received nearly $50,000 to restore its ability to offer breast cancer screenings.

The funding comes from contributions by Georgians to the Breast Cancer License Tag Fund.

The Georgia Cancer Coalition, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH), selected twelve public health organizations across the state to receive $500,000 as the 2008 awardees. Each of the chosen organizations exemplified it's committment toward providing breast cancer screening, education, outreach, and access to Georgia's medically indigent populations.

In 2007, Sumter Regional's two mammography units were completely destroyed -- resulting in a 46% reduction in mammography screenings.

Nyla Franklin, SRH Foundation Director, said, "With this funding, we can expand screening capacity and offer culturally appropriate outreach and education to reduce disparities in Sumter County. We plan to use lay educators- specifically local breast cancer survivors - to inform medically underserved women about the importance of early detection. We will also promote free and low-cost services," 

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death for women in Georgia. This year alone it is estimated that 6,057 will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 1,014 women will die from it.

 For more information about Sumter Regional Hospital and its Foundation, visit www.sumterregional.org.

Sumter Regional Hospital contributed to this report.