Ascension Sacred Heart launches free mammogram program for uninsured women
Initiative provides potentially life-saving breast cancer screenings to uninsured women 40 and older across Northwest Florida
MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. – Ascension Sacred Heart has launched a new free mammogram program to provide free critical breast cancer screenings to uninsured women across Northwest Florida. Uninsured residents over 40 years old are eligible for the screenings. Funding for the program comes from generous donors to the Sacred Heart Foundation.
“Sacred Heart Foundation is committed to ensuring no woman goes without an essential breast health screening,” said Adrienne Maygarden, President of the Sacred Heart Foundation. “Too often, women, especially mothers and caregivers, put their own health on hold. With more than one-third of women behind on critical appointments like mammograms, the need is real. Thanks to the support of our community, we are helping remove barriers and provide access to potentially life-saving care.”
According to the American Cancer Society, when breast cancer is detected early and remains localized, the five-year relative survival rate is 99 percent. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Florida, with more than 17,000 new cases diagnosed each year. But only about half of the women over 40 living in Bay, Walton, Okaloosa and Gulf Counties get an annual screening as recommended.
The free mammogram program is available to women who:
- Are 40 years of age or older
- Are uninsured
- Are seeking a preventive screening and have no current breast health symptoms
- Have seen a primary care provider within the last 2 years
- Ascension Sacred Heart Women’s Diagnostic Center - Emerald Coast in Santa Rosa Beach
- Ascension Sacred Heart Women’s Diagnostic Center - Watersound Origins
To support this program with your generous donations to the Sacred Heart Foundation visit givesacredheart.org.
About Ascension Sacred Heart
Ascension Sacred Heart, based in Pensacola, Florida, operates five hospitals and more than 100 other sites of care and employs more than 6,440 associates. In fiscal year 2024, Ascension Sacred Heart provided more than $193 million in community benefit and other care for vulnerable persons. Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Heather Kretzer, External Communications Manager
850-832-0406 | heather.kretzer@ascension.org
