Time matters in fight against breast cancer
By Paige W. Havens
Chair, Annual Support Committee
Gwinnett Hospital System Foundation
for GwinnettForum.com

May 29, 2001 -- As one of 588,000-plus citizens of Gwinnett County, chances are that you, or someone in your life has experienced the trauma of breast cancer or been frightened by a suspicious finding that threatened the possibility of breast cancer. If so, you know the physical and emotional pain it causes, not only for the patient, but for their family and friends.

Lately the local media has run several stories on the extensive wait women have to endure in the metro Atlanta area to receive a routine mammogram (four-plus months) or diagnostic imaging (three-plus weeks). It is incomprehensible to me that a woman would be made to wait weeks to learn whether or not a lump in her breast was malignant.

Even with seven mammography machines at the Gwinnett Hospital System, access to breast imaging services is a major problem for the women of our community. Recently, in an effort to minimize this wait in Gwinnett, the Gwinnett Hospital System Foundation has launched a new fundraising initiative "Time Matters" that will enable a very focused breast health program. Not only will this effort shorten the wait, it will also provide support and care for breast cancer patients and develop new breast health services at the Gwinnett Hospital System.

A nurse advocate has been hired to assist in coordinating care and to provide educational and emotional support for breast cancer patients and their families. Funds through this program will allow for new and expanded services such as:

• Support Groups & Resources for Patient Recovery;
• Lending Library of Information Regarding Care & Treatment Options;
• Personal Risk Assessments for Breast Cancer Based on Family History;
• Additional Mammography Imaging Machines to Minimize Wait;
• A New Care-A-Van that Mobilizes Diagnostic Services Throughout Gwinnett.

Breast cancer is not just a woman's issue. Ask any man whose wife or mother has found a lump in her breast what impact it had on him! I invite you to join me in giving time, talents and monetary resources to the Gwinnett Hospital System Foundation.

The goal is to raise just over $2 million. Our support as a community is extremely important to help make these new breast health services a reality in Gwinnett.

For more information on how you can get involved simply call 678-442-2654. Take this opportunity to make a memorial or honorary gift in someone's name whose life has been affected by the threat or reality of breast cancer in a way that will make a real difference!

-30-