Reading Hospital Foundation has reached its two-million-dollar fundraising goal to purchase a mobile mammography coach. The fundraising campaign began in August of 2020 and was completed on November 15, 2021 through a combination of generous donations, pledges, grants, and the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credit program.
The coach is expected to be delivered in Spring 2022. The first screenings are expected to begin in the summer of 2022.
The new mobile mammography coach removes transportation barriers by bringing the screening to the patient. Outfitted with the latest technology, including 3D tomosynthesis, the mobile mammography coach uses a digital mammography screening tool that improves the accuracy of imaging (reducing unneeded follow-up visits) and enables caregivers to detect more invasive cancers.
The coach can conduct up to 4,000 screenings a year, but Hospital officials anticipate it will take some time to build awareness of the service in the community.
“Our team is excited to offer screenings at various locations throughout the county,” said P. Sue Perrotty, Tower Health President and CEO. “Our goal is to serve a diverse group of patients in locations that are familiar and convenient so we can ensure that any woman who needs a mammogram has convenient access to this life-saving screening.”
A total of 129 organizations and individuals contributed to the purchase of the mobile mammography coach. “The philanthropic response from the local organizations, community members, hospital employees, and Reading Hospital Foundation Board of Directors was remarkable,” said Katherine Thornton, President, Reading Hospital Foundation.
“Despite the many challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic our community stepped forward to ensure that underserved women have access to screening. Every donation, regardless of the amount, made a significant impact in our ability to fulfill our mission.”
Women who choose mobile mammography can expect the same exceptional patient care as they would at one of Tower Health’s mammography imaging locations. Scheduling, testing, follow-up, and referrals will be a seamless experience.
Donations are still being accepted to support the Mobile Mammography program. Additional donations will be used to support the Patient Assistance Fund and ensure that women who are uninsured or underinsured can receive this routine screening without worry about access or cost. Individuals interested in donating can visit towerhealth.org/RHFoundation.
