Summa Screens is a cancer screening program that provides free mammograms and breast ultrasounds to low-income, uninsured or underinsured women, as well as patient navigation services. The program is supported through private donations of all amounts and also by gifts from Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio, The Links and the Stephen A. Comunale Jr. Family Cancer Foundation.
When someone finds discovers a lump, the decision to seek a diagnostic test shouldn’t be determined by cost. That was the case for Nona Parker, of Akron. Nona was experiencing pain and sensitivity in her left breast, so she performed a self-breast exam and found a mass. She recalls the anxiety she felt when her primary care physician told her she needed a mammogram immediately. “I didn’t know where the funds were going to come from [for a mammogram].” Nona’s physician referred her to Summa Screens.
To help Nona navigate her care with Summa Health, Christina White, mammography facilitator for Summa Screens, stepped in. Christina helped Nona enroll in Medicaid to cover any further treatment costs after she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma in February 2014.
Today, Nona is optimistic for the future and deeply grateful for the services provided by Summa Screens. After undergoing successful treatment, she is looking forward to returning to her favorite activities of gardening and playing with her grandchildren. “I am very blessed Summa Screens was there every step of the way. I didn’t have to find the resources – Summa Screens brought them to me.”
There are over 147,000 women in Summit County over the age of 40 and nearly 20,000 of them are without health insurance. Make a gift today to support Summa Screens in Summit County.