September 17, 2004
Boston's Mammography Van boosted by gift from NSTAR
NSTAR launched a partnership with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) today with a gift of $250,000 from the NSTAR Charitable Foundation to Boston's Mammography Van. The gift will help increase the number of Boston women who will receive breast health education and mammograms, regardless of their ability to pay, through the mobile screening program. The gift was presented to Edward J. Benz Jr., MD, president of Dana-Farber, by NSTAR Chairman and CEO Thomas J. May at the Whittier Street Health Center in Roxbury.
"NSTAR is committed to supporting the great work performed day in and day out at Dana-Farber," said May. "Providing increased access to screenings has the potential to save the lives of women throughout the city, and we're proud to help Dana-Farber reach that goal."
Boston's Mammography Van is a joint venture between Dana-Farber and the City of Boston. Since 2002, more than 6,000 women in neighborhood health centers, homeless shelters, a women's prison and faith-based organizations in the Boston area have been served by the van.
"With this generous gift from NSTAR's Charitable Foundation, Boston's Mammography Van can expand its reach to provide screening for even more underserved women of diverse backgrounds," said Benz. "The van improves access to screening by bringing the best of Dana-Farber to the women least likely to get a mammogram otherwise, right in their neighborhood, at a facility with which they are familiar, with staff who speak their language and represent their culture. This gift will make a difference to the health of women in many communities."
May and Benz were joined at the presentation by Karen Ruderman, director of Boston's Mammography Van, and Frederica Williams, president and CEO of the Whittier Street Health Center. Van patient Gertrude Shaw spoke about the importance of early detection and improving access to screening services. Guests were invited to tour the van and learn about its technology.
Boston's Mammography Van, equipped with a mammography machine, makes scheduled stops at locations around the city including Boston City Hall, Whittier Street Health Center, Greater Love Tabernacle Church, Mission Park Housing and Hyde Park Women's Health. Mobile DFCI staffers conduct approximately 30 screening a day. As many as 3,000 women receive breast health education and screening each year.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Because of NSTAR's generous gift, more women will be screened this fall, regardless of ability to pay. Women are encouraged to sign up in advance for the mammograms, which are scheduled before the visit. The priority populations served are low-income, uninsured and underserved women who are least likely to get a mammogram, and are at a markedly higher risk of dying from breast cancer.
For more information about Boston's Mammography Van, contact Dana-Farber at (617) 632-1974.
NSTAR transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including over one million electric customers in 81 communities and nearly 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities. For more information about NSTAR visit www.nstaronline.com.
