Recipient

Program

Breast Health Transportation Program

Bridging Breast Health Access in Tarrant County

The Bridge Breast Network links low income, uninsured individuals to diagnostic and treatment services for breast cancer.  The program provides the following services:  diagnostic evaluations, biopsies, surgery, imaging, chemotherapy and radiation oncology.  Physicians donate their professional services to Bridge clients, and medical facilities offer their services at reduced rates.  The Bridge does not provide screening mammograms, but refers the caller to appropriate resources.  Bridge clients are primarily women whose screening mammograms are abnormal or who had a lump discovered through a variety of sources.

Bridge of Blessings: Tarrant County 2010 Financial Assistance Program 

The project provides temporary financial assistance to qualified individuals in the Tarrant County area who are undergoing treatment for breast cancer.  Many individuals, particularly those unable to work as they undergo treatment, face tremendous stress from financial burden - stress that could compromise their recovery.  The goal is to eliminate this unnecessary hardship.

Patient Assistance

The program provides the following services:  purchasing prescription medications, nutritional supplements, medical equipment, medical supplies, personal/respite care and homemaker services, dental work, emergency funds, transportation assistance, COBRA payments, employment assistance, counseling, support groups, case management, expression outlet programs, social activities, Bible studies, prayer, family program, education, resource center, etc.  The breast cancer navigator helps those who are concerned about their breast health to find the detection, treatment and other services they need.

Cancer Education and Research Foundation of Texas (CERFT)

Physician Partnership to Provide Treatment of Breast Cancer

The program provides medical care from participating medical and radiation oncologists, chemotherapy and other treatment, radiation services, chemotherapy and radiation supplies, and lab and diagnostic testing incidental to cancer treatment.  The cost for physician office visits, consults, and/or hospital visits must be donated.  All drug assistance programs must be exhausted prior to submitting a request for reimbursement.  Eligibility requirements are:  1) uninsured or under insured 2) income equal to or less than 300% of the federal poverty level 3) limited to $10,000 per patient

Breast Cancer Outreach

The St. Joseph Health Care Trust, a program of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fort Worth, Inc. expands breast health outreach and awareness reaching medically uninsured women through Church based health care teams.  This program will recruit and train volunteers in Catholic fourteen churches within Tarrant County, to educate women about breast health and coordinate mammogram screenings, provided without cost, through collaboration with Harris Methodist Mobile Mammography unit.  The program focuses on Hispanic, Asian and African American communities and also provides free diagnostic mammograms to those who have had an abnormal mammogram screening or clinical breast exam, and case navigation for clients who test positive for breast cancer.

Lymphedema Therapy Program

The program is designed for post-mastectomy/post radiation therapy women.  Any woman who is financially under served (200% poverty level) in Tarrant County is eligible to receive this therapy at no cost.  Two trained and certified MLD/CDT therapist/registered nurse treat patients suffering from lymphedema.

Reducing Breast Cancer Disparities in Early Detection Screening Mammography

This program offers free mammography screening and prevention services, diagnostic procedures, and educational and support resources to high risk population of financially/medically underserved women in Tarrant County.

Bridging the Gap Between Diagnosis and Cure

The project provides women with breast cancer treatment who may not otherwise have received treatment.  These women fall outside the circle of eligibility for financial sponsorship through the usual outlets.  These patients had advanced stages of breast cancer, requiring months of treatment including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and more.

MCCHS Breast Cancer Awareness Program

The program provides outreach services through community education and breast cancer screenings to immigrant populations.  MCCHS programs target a special needs population of multi-racial and/or multi-ethnic women, most of whom are foreign-born and experience barriers to maintaining wellness such as limited funds, no health insurance, cultural isolation and language differences.  Health care information is provided in Urdu and Arabic as well as English to increase the potential for immigrants to benefit from MCCHS resources.

Tarrant County Public Health 

Breast Cancer Screening Program

The project provides medically underserved women in Tarrant County with breast self exam education, clinical breast exams, and screening mammograms.  When abnormal findings on clinical breast exams or screening mammograms are detected, women are referred and funded for follow-up diagnostic studies. If a cancer diagnosis is determined, the BCCCP provides case management services and refers to appropriate agencies to expedite treatment.  Many patients will be funded by the breast and cervical cancer treatment act for their treatment.

Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast Cancer

This grant will go to provide DNA testing and counseling to uninsured and under insured patients who would otherwise go without the critical information with which to make decisions about their breast health.  This information will also be used to identify at-risk family members to promote early prevention of breast cancer.

The mobile mammography unit will improve access to screening and prevention service, diagnostic procedures, navigation and education to underserved women in Tarrant County. A Promotora/Facilitator Breast Health Awareness program will focus on outreach to women 35 and older in the Hispanic and African American communities.