CLEWISTON — October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and Hendry Regional Medical Center (HRMC) has joined in the fight against breast cancer by offering free breast health related imaging and procedures to local women who are uninsured or under-insured. This assistance is offered through the HRMC Pink Warriors Fund.

Breast cancer represents 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers each year and is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Overall, the average risk of a woman developing breast cancer sometime in her life is a 1 in 8 chance.

HRMC created the Pink Warriors Fund in 2017 to raise awareness of breast cancer as well as raise funds dedicated for local women needing breast cancer related services. Each year during the month of October Hendry Regional fundraises through multiple events that are highlighted by the Pink Warriors Walk on Oct. 22. This year’s event was attended by over 250 participants.

“We had a tremendous response and outpouring from the community in support of our events, and we were able to raise critical dollars to help local women in their fight against breast cancer,” stated Electa Waddell, marketing/foundation director. Efforts this year raised $45,000 for the Pink Warriors Fund bringing the total since its inception to over $163,000.

The Pink Warriors Fund has provided over 400 local women access to breast related healthcare that they may otherwise have not had. One such recipient of the fund is Aroma Bradshaw of LaBelle, a mother of 3 young children.

In July 2020 Bradshaw came in for an annual checkup during which her healthcare provider ordered a mammogram through the Pink Warriors Fund. That month, at the age of 42, she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer.

The Pink Warriors Fund covered the cost for her mammogram, lumpectomy and subsequent breast related health needs provided at HRMC. After a long battle that included radiation and chemotherapy, she is on her way to remission! “Hendry Regional Medical Center and the Pink Warriors Fund saved my life,” stated Bradshaw.

“Early detection saves lives. Our goal with the fund is to remove the burden of access to healthcare for breast related screenings for women in our local community.” stated Waddell.

The Pink Warriors Fund can be used by any local woman in need of a breast related screening or diagnostic imaging service provided by HRMC that is not covered by insurance. To utilize the fund the healthcare provider should write “Pink Warrior Fund” on the prescription/order and the patient may make an appointment at an HRMC location in Clewiston or LaBelle.