Ozarks Healthcare Foundation marks Successful Kick-Off to Mobile Mammography Unit Campaign and Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Local Businesses
On Oct. 1, the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation launched its new fundraising initiative for a mobile mammography unit in conjunction with the first day of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On Oct. 1, local West Plains businesses including The Fish Shack, Colton’s Steak House & Grill, and Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply participated in the Foundation’s kick-off date by agreeing to donate a portion of their proceeds to the campaign. Wood’s Riverbend Restaurant in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas, and Antler Package and Pizza in Gainesville, Missouri, also donated a portion of their proceeds from the day to the campaign.
Josh Reeves, Vice President of Development at Ozarks Healthcare, visited each business to thank owners and staff for their generosity and visit with customers to raise awareness about the campaign.
“The generosity and excitement our community has shown about our campaign is overwhelming,” Reeves said. “We are so appreciative of these businesses and their donations to our goal of increasing the accessibility of critical health screenings that can lead to early detection of breast cancer among our family and friends and ultimately, save lives.”
To support its fundraising initiative for a mobile mammography unit, the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation is seeking pledges and donations from individuals, businesses, and other organizations. Any business or organization interested in making a donation is asked to please call the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation at 417-853-5200 or contact Reeves directly at j.reeves@ozhcare.com. Individual donations can be collected online at https://www.ozarkshealthcare.com/support-us/foundation/mobile-mammography-unit-campaign/.
The Ozarks Healthcare Foundation is also hosting a mum sale on Friday, Oct. 8, from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation, #12 Parkway Center in West Plains to benefit its fundraising initiative. Proceeds will be used to help purchase a mobile mammography unit in 2022 to help make routine screenings more accessible for women who might not otherwise have access to this service.
In addition to hosting the mum sale, the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation is raffling a 2021 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Truck from Toyota of West Plains. Proceeds from raffle tickets sold will benefit the Foundation’s fundraising campaign for the mobile mammography unit. Tickets are $100 and may be purchased online at www.ozarkshealthcare.com or by calling the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation at 417-853-5200. The raffle winner will be drawn Dec. 24. Tickets are limited, so those interested in purchasing a ticket are encouraged to buy soon.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the second most common cancer among women in the U.S. (some kinds of skin cancer are the most common). Finding breast cancer early reduces risk of death from the disease by 25-30% or more. Women should begin having mammograms yearly at age 40, or earlier if they're at high risk. Annual mammograms are the best way to detect breast cancer in its earliest, most curable stages. Many women put off getting a mammogram due to inconvenience. Studies also show women who are underinsured or uninsured are 35 percent more likely to have a mammogram offered by a mobile mammography unit versus going to an outpatient setting.
The Ozarks Healthcare Foundation, established in 1998 as a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) with a local board of directors, serves as a liaison between donors and Ozarks Healthcare to assist the hospital in providing excellent healthcare to the communities it serves. For more information or to make a gift to the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation, please call 417-853-5200 or visit https://www.ozarkshealthcare.com/support-us/foundation/.
Ozarks Healthcare is a system of care encompassing primary care and specialty clinics, along with complete rehabilitation, behavioral healthcare, and home health services. While the 114-bed acute care hospital cares for more than 5,400 admissions, the entire health system has more than 364,000 patient visits annually in South Central Missouri and Northern Arkansas. For more information about Ozarks Healthcare, visit www.OzarksHealthcare.com.
Pictured top left, left to right: Bob Eckman, owner of E-Communications and member of Ozarks Healthcare’s Foundation Board of Directors, Seth Wood, Wood’s Riverbend Restaurant, and Josh Reeves, Vice President of Development at Ozarks Healthcare
Pictured top right: Josh Reeves, Vice President of Development at Ozarks Healthcare (right), is pictured with Stacey Johnson, owner of The Fish Shack.
Pictured bottom left: Josh Reeves, Vice President of Development at Ozarks Healthcare (left), is pictured with John and Dixie Williams from Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply in West Plains.
Pictured bottom right: Josh Reeves, Vice President of Development at Ozarks Healthcare (second from left), is pictured with Haley Mitchell, owner of Colton’s in West Plains (far right), and servers.
Ozarks Healthcare’s Foundation has announced the launch of a new fundraising initiative for a mobile mammography unit. Photo is a design concept.
