HEALTH Local entities commit $4.93M to fund breast cancer screening
BY BROOKE SJOBERG
3D mammography to areas without easy access. “Together we have to nd a way to continue this program, to get people screened and treated earlier,” Long said. “So buckle up, because we’re not done.” Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith said the program has been eective in his county, where four women have been diagnosed and are receiving treatment. “I’m excited that our county is able to be a part of this and look forward to the continued eort to expand to other types of cancer, because we know, especially in our area, they’re very prevalent,” Smith said. Since the program’s launch, multiple women in each county have received breast cancer diagnoses, according to Sandy Guzman, CEO of the Austin Area Research Organization, one of the program’s partners. A total of 41 separate
Central Texas ocials announced Oct. 19 the commitment of over $4.93 million in public funding for the Addressing Cancer Together initiative. The Texas Department of State Health Services estimates 19,921 people will be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. Susan Dawson, Austin Area Research Organization Health Committee chair and ACT co-chair, said it is the No. 1 killer in Central Texas. “While insured cancer patients here have a longer life expectancy than the state average, uninsured cancer patients have just over half the Texas life expectancy,” Dawson said. Launched in January, this initiative provides free breast cancer screenings, diagnosis and treatment resources for uninsured patients in Bastrop, Hays and Williamson counties. Representatives
From left: Bastrop County Judge Paul Pape; Lydia Perez, Community Action Inc. program coordinator; Susan Dawson, Austin Area Research Organization Health Committee chair and Addressing Cancer Together co-chair; Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith; Williamson County Commissioner Cynthia Long; and David Smith, United Way for Greater Austin CEO, announced the commitment of funds for breast cancer screening Oct. 19.
COURTESY AUSTIN AREA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION
CANCER CONTRIBUTIONS MADE
Multiple entities committed monies to fund the Addressing Cancer Together coalition that provides screenings, diagnoses and treatment resources to the uninsured in Bastrop, Hays and Williamson counties.
City of San Marcos: $172,000 Bastrop County: $580,000 Shivers Cancer Foundation: $900,000 Hays County: $1.18 million Williamson County: $2.1 million
$4.93 MILLION
“TOGETHER WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO CONTINUE THIS PROGRAM, TO GET PEOPLE SCREENED AND
of Bastrop, Hays and Williamson counties each spoke to the initiative’s importance to the Greater Central Texas region. Williamson
health care entities are involved in the Central Texas ACT initiative. Those without primary health
SOURCES: AUSTIN AREA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION, ADDRESSING CANCER TOGETHER COALITION COMMUNITY IMPACT
TREATED EARLIER” SUSAN DAWSON, AARO HEALTH COMMITTEE CHAIR
COMING TOGETHER FOR CANCER CARE
The Addressing Cancer Together Coalition is comprised of 40-plus members across the Central Texas health care ecosystem, including those listed below. • Austin Radiological Association • Ascension Seton • Austin Cancer Center • Community Action • Dell Medical School
County Commissioner Cynthia Long said she was thankful the
care may call 211 to be connected with primary care and screening options best suited to them, said David Smith, CEO of United Way for Greater Austin. The ACT coalition intends to address all cancers eventually but focuses on breast cancer to maximize federal and state program funds.
county took the next step to provide funding for the ACT initiative using American Rescue Plan Act funds after committing Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act funds to outtting the Big Pink Bus and getting
• Lone Star Circle of Care • St. David’s Healthcare • Shivers Cancer Foundation • Texas Oncology
• Baylor Scott & White Health • Breast Cancer Resource Center (BCRC)
SOURCE: ADDRESSING CANCER TOGETHER COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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