BEACHBAG
Sacred Heart Implements “Suzy Fund”
to Provide Screening Mammograms
Almost 200,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer cancer. High-risk women should begin screening
this year; however, annual screenings offer significant hope in the fight mammograms at age 35 or younger, depending
against this life-threatening disease. According to the American Cancer Soci- on their specific situation.
ety, breast cancer can take a few years to develop, and the survival rate is 98% To qualify for the free screening at Sacred
when detected at an early stage. Heart, women must be between the ages of 40 to
To ensure access to these life-saving screenings for women of Okaloosa 65 and reside in either Okaloosa or Walton County.
and Walton counties, Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast now offers Women on Medicaid or Medicare already qualify
200 free screening mammograms a year, benefiting underserved women of for an annual screening mammogram, so the pro-
our communities. gram will target the “working poor” — women
“Our mission at Sacred Heart is to provide high quality, compassionate who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid but
healthcare to all, without regard to the ability to pay,” explained Dr. Charles who cannot afford a screening exam.
Stroble, radiologist at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast. “Providing The Olson Women’s Diagnostic Center at Sa-these screening mammograms to under-
served women will help save countless lives . “Providing these screening mammograms to under-
by identifying cancer in an early, preventable stage.” served women will help save countless lives by
The Suzy Fund was established in
October in partnership with Zampieri’s identifying cancer in an early, preventable stage.”
Harbor Grille, Qantum Communications,
American Laser Centers and Sacred Heart Foundation as a result of the first cred Heart conveniently centralizes all screening and diagnostic appointments
annual “Breast Party in Town.” for mammograms, stereotactic breast biopsies, ultrasounds and bone density
Women age 40 and older should have a screening mammogram every scans. A dedicated patient care navigator provides patient advocacy, coordina-year. A screening mammogram is an x-ray exam of the breast in a woman who tion of services, education and support to all women and their families.
has no symptoms. The goal of a screening mammogram is to find cancer when Sacred Heart features all-digital breast imaging systems, which provide
it is still too small to be felt by a woman or her doctor, greatly improving a numerous advantages, including excellent visibility of the breast, timely gen-woman’s chance for successful treatment. Women in their 20s and 30s who are eration of images, the ability to magnify and manipulate images to prevent
not high risk should have a clinical breast exam as part of their regular health retakes, and less discomfort during the exam.
exam, preferably at least every three years For more information about the Suzy Fund or the Olson Women’s Diagnos-
Women at high risk include those who have a known breast cancer gene tic Center at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, call (850) 278-3980
mutation, have a first-degree relative (mother, father, brother, sister or child) or visit www.sacredheartemerald.org. For more information and statistics
with the designated gene mutation, had radiation therapy to the chest when about breast cancer, please visit the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.
between the ages of 10 and 30 years old, or have a family history of breast org.b
WSRE, PBS for
the Gulf Coast,
Honored with
National Telly
Award
WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast, was honored this year with the National Telly Award. The
WSRE documentary “Khaki Coast: How the Panhandle Helped Win World War II” was recognized with the Silver statuette, the Telly Awards’ highest honor, in the category of Broadcast HDTV
Documentary.
Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional,
and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. The
Telly Award annually showcases the best work of the most respected advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments in the world.
The 29th Annual Telly Awards competition received over 14,000 entries from all over the world. It is a tremendous achievement
to be selected for recognition.
WSRE — Viewer Supported PBS for the Gulf Coast — is a service of Pensacola Junior College and has been helping the community “Be more connected” for over 40 years by encouraging our viewers to engage more deeply in the world around them. Through
quality programming and educational outreach services, WSRE can help you “Be More educated, informed and entertained.” WSRE
is viewer supported public television. More information about WSRE is available at wsre.org.
