Edwards, CO—The Vail Valley Charitable Fund (VVCF), through its Vail Breast Cancer Group program, will begin offering free mammogram screening to uninsured women residing in its service area. If additional diagnostic screening is necessary, the VVCF will also provide a $500 stipend to help cover the costs of those services.
To qualify, applicants must prove they have lived or worked in VVCF’s service area for at least one year. The VVCF service area extends from east to west, encompassing East Vail through Dotsero, including Minturn and Red Cliff. Eligible women should complete an application at VVCF.org. The program targets and supports individuals within 251% to 550% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) income bracket. Vail Health helps uninsured women at 551% or greater through the Colorado Hospital Discount Care program.
“The Vail Breast Cancer Group has offered vital support for diagnostics and comforts for women in our community for 30 years in many ways, including through our Shine On Bag, which provides newly diagnosed women with comfort at a vulnerable time. This new mammogram program allows us to take a preventative role in tackling the scary subject of breast cancer. ,” said Terri Hanley Reichert, Development Manager, Vail Valley Charitable Fund. “Our long-time partner, Vail Health, has thoughtfully and carefully helped us navigate the program details. We are grateful for their continued commitment to our community.”
“Mammograms are the best tool for detecting breast cancer. Early detection has been proven to improve treatment options and outcomes; dramatically improving the patient’s experience. Every woman should have access to routine mammograms,” said Kristen Cobos, Vail Health Director of Imaging Services. “We are thrilled to partner with the Vail Valley Charitable Fund to offer this resource to the women in our community.”
The VVCF relies on the generosity of individuals to fund its various giving programs, including the Vail Breast Cancer Group. Events like ‘Bowling for Boobs’ held each October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month help to fund this new mammogram program. The VVCF is pleased to announce that the program has received several donations, including an incredibly generous and anonymous donation of $50,000, which will enable us to begin offering paid mammograms immediately.
“We’re all about financial resiliency, and by helping women get an early diagnosis, we’re also helping them recover as quickly as possible with the best outcome,” said Reichert.
The VVCF was established in 1996 to support individuals residing in and working in the Vail Valley who face financial hardship due to a medical crisis or long-term illness. The VVCF has grown significantly over the past 29 years, having raised and distributed more than $9.7 million to support over 2,200 families in the local community. Most donations come from individuals and businesses in the Valley. With your help, the VVCF provides, on average, assistance to 120 individuals and families each year, helping them make ends meet while undergoing treatment or recovering from a wide range of medical conditions.
For more information contact Contact:
Terri Hanley Reichert terri@vvcf.org I 970-331-5810