For Immediate Release: August 22, 2008

Contacts: Shayne Squires, American Cancer Society, 523-4503 Brian Reardon, St. John's Hospital, 544-6464, ext. 44307

Regional Cancer Partnership of Illinois partnering with area health agencies and hospitals to provide free mammograms in October

SPRINGFIELD -- As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, a group of area health agencies and local hospitals are offering free mammograms in central Illinois. This effort is organized by the Regional Cancer Partnership of Illinois (RCP) to assist women who may consider postponing getting an annual mammogram because they cannot afford it and do not qualify for other programs that provide screening assistance.

The free mammograms will be provided to women who meet age and income guidelines. Women who are under insured, have high insurance deductibles or who may qualify for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program are also encouraged to call.

To sign up for an appointment or to find out more about either of these programs, please contact the Sangamon County Department of Public Health starting Tuesday, September 2 through Tuesday, September 30. Individuals are asked to call 217-535-3100:

• 1:30 – 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays or
• 8:30 a.m. – noon, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Women will register in September for mammograms in October. The free mammogram appointments are being scheduled through the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, not through individual hospitals. The hospitals involved with the free screenings include Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln; Passavant Area Hospital in Jacksonville; St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield; and Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. The Mia Ware Foundation in Jacksonville also will again help provide mammograms.

Currently, a mammogram with a clinical breast exam is the most effective way of detecting breast cancer. Women age 40 and older should have a yearly mammogram. More information is available from the American Cancer Society.

The RCP first began meeting in 2001 and was reorganized in 2006. It is focused on cancer control, prevention and education in central Illinois.  Its members are – American Cancer Society, Cancer Institute at St. John’s Hospital, Carol Jo Vecchie Women’s Services at St. John’s Hospital, Central Counties Health Centers, Inc., Central Illinois Hematology/Oncology, Illinois Department of Public Health, Logan County Health Department, Memorial Medical Center, Mia Ware Foundation, Passavant Area Hospital, Sangamon County Department of Public Health, Sangamon County Medical Society, SimmonsCooper Cancer Institute at SIU School of Medicine, Springfield Urban League, and Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization-Illinois Affiliate. The partnership is open to anyone interested in assisting the partnership in reaching its mission.

For more information about the RCP visit the web site.