In 2021, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Program provided more than 5,000 breast cancer screening and diagnostic services to uninsured women. Forty-eight breast cancers were detected.
Northside is among the largest breast cancer programs in the country and one of the nation’s leading providers of breast cancer diagnostic and treatment services. Early detection of breast cancer saves the lives of thousands of women each year. However, medically underserved and uninsured women often lack access to care.
Since 2002, It’s The Journey and the Georgia 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer (formerly the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer) have raised funds for breast health and breast cancer programs in our communities. In that time, $17.5 million has been given out through 465 grants for vital breast health services in more than 100 counties.
In 2022, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute Breast Cancer Program was awarded nearly $51,000, which includes an additional $5,000 designated by a fundraising prizewinner. The money will help Northside continue to provide breast screenings and diagnostic services to underserved/uninsured women living within metro Atlanta and outlying counties across central and north Georgia.
View a complete listing of the 2022 grant recipients and descriptions of their programs.
"In addition to the grants for breast imaging services, we have also received the transportation grant to assist in providing more timely access to all breast cancer services, screening through treatment, for uninsured persons living inside and outside the metro Atlanta area,” said Astrid Wilkie-McKellar, manager of community outreach and engagement, Northside Hospital Cancer Institute. “Although we have been granted funds from ITJ for over a decade for breast screening diagnostic services, this is our first year applying for and receiving a grant for transportation assistance.”
“We're thrilled to be able to offer another resource to our communities that will decrease the transportation barrier,” Wilkie-McKellar added.
In addition to the grant to Northside, the Gwinnett Medical Center (GMC) Foundation received nearly $12,000 to provide screening mammograms and evaluations for under-insured women who receive services at Northside imaging facilities in Gwinnett County. Since 2013, the GMC Foundation has been awarded more than $280,000 from It’s The Journey.
Cancer Support Community Atlanta, affiliated with Northside Hospital Cancer Institute, also received more than $14,000 in support for its Living Fully with Breast Cancer program, which provides breast cancer patients and survivors supportive programs that include multiple breast support groups, gentle exercise and stress reduction classes, nutrition classes, and art therapy.
Learn more about these and other breast cancer support services at Northside.
To learn more about receiving services through the Northside Hospital Cancer Institute’s breast cancer screenings grant call 404-531-4444. Applicants must meet eligibility requirements. Services are available at select Northside locations, as well as aboard Northside’s ScreenAtlanta mobile-mammography unit. Interpretation services are available upon request.
Learn more about supporting patients at Northside Hospital.
