Grant Aids in Fight Against Breast Cancer
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Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — Lexington Medical Center is an active participant in the fight against breast cancer, diagnosing 250 breast cancer patients annually. But members of the hospital staff say that often women go undiagnosed due to lack of resources. Barbara Willm says, “Many times, women without insurance or financial resources don’t have a routine screening mammogram because they simply cannot afford to do it.” This is something the medical center is working to change thanks to a $40,000 grant from the SC Mountains to Midlands affiliate of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Willm says, “We are passionate about treating cancer with state of the art technology and we believe unparalleled compassion. Stand Up: “In addition to awarding the grant, the foundation also honored one of the staff members here at the medical center who is all too familiar with the importance of early screening.” Kelly Jeffcoat says, “I moved into this role as the breast cancer nurse navigator and 6 weeks later I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was 37 years old and never in a million years thought I would have breast cancer.” After enduring 8 months of treatment, Kelly was declared cancer free. Despite the struggles she says her experience allows her to relate to patients in a unique way. Jeffcoat says, “It just gives them hope, it gives them hope that if I walk that journey then they can too.” Now, 14 years later, Kelly joins Lexington Medical Center and the Susan G. Komen foundation to promote early screening for all women and to work towards a world without breast cancer.
