The Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) is pleased to announce the receipt of a $40,000 donation from The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The donation will support HEALTH's Women's Cancer Screening Program (WCSP) in covering the cost of mammograms for women age 40-49. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the WCSP is mandated to provided 80% of mammograms to women age 50 -64. The Gemma Foundation's donation allows the WCSP to able to expand available screening services to women age 40 – 49.
The Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation was established in 2004 in honor of Gloria Gemma and her courageous fight against breast cancer. Its mission is to raise breast cancer awareness, increase breast health education, and generate funding for critical breast health programs. The Foundation strives to keep 100% of its net proceeds in the local community.
The Gloria Gemma Breast Bus is a tool through which breast health education and the breast cancer awareness message is carried throughout Rhode Island. A breast health educator travels statewide on the Breast Bus and often partners with the WCSP Statewide Outreach and Recruitment Contractor, Women & Infants Hospital, to educate the public on the importance of screening, to identify WCSP-eligible patients, and to refer women to breast and cervical cancer screening services.
The WCSP has developed a strong network of providers to assure that the delivery of breast and cervical cancer screening, follow-up, treatment, and support services are available for enrolled clients. Since the program's inception in 1995, more than 30,000 Rhode Island women have enrolled and been provided breast and/or cervical cancer screening services, and more than 40,000 mammograms have been provided.
For more information about the Women's Cancer Screening Program visit www.health.ri.gov/programs/womenscancerscreening/ or call the Health Information Line at 401-222-5960 / RI Relay 711