GREENFIELD — As the annual Women Helping Women fundraiser enters its third decade, organizers are expanding the scope of health care for women that it supports.
The 21st annual dinner, which is Oct. 24 at Addagios Banquet Hall, is sold out. It has long been an important community effort in supporting breast cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured women.
But as the event itself continues to grow, so is its mission.
Allyson Smith, Hancock Health Foundation manager and Women Helping Women sponsorship committee chair, said the campaign is hoping to expand its focus.
“We’ve really focused on breast health for most of Women Helping Women’s existence,” Smith said. “We’re really seeing that there are a lot of other needs that these patients have beyond just breast health needs. This is kind of a coming of age for us, as it is for people when they turn 21, and we’re trying to focus on caring for the whole woman, or person.”
Participants will also have the opportunity to donate to specific needs of the Andis Women’s Clinic, which uses grant funding to offset the costs of providing health services for low-income and uninsured women. Donations can be earmarked for needs like prescription assistance, pelvic ultrasounds and a new examination table.
Smith said it is important to provide a way for women to receive cancer screenings they could not otherwise afford.
“People in general, but a lot of times women, they put their health as secondary. There are so many other things that have to be a priority. They think, ‘oh, well, I’ll just get a mammogram next year,’” Smith said. “But it’s so important, and we see women who are diagnosed with breast cancer through the clinic. They’re able to catch it early and get treatment early, and then it saves their lives.”
The event’s guest speakers will be “American Ninja Warrior” contestants Marquez and Nathan Green. The Wisconsin-born twins used their appearance on the TV show, which features competitors running an intensive obstacle course, to raise awareness about breast cancer; their mother died of the disease when they were teenagers.
The evening will also feature dinner, a cash bar and live and silent auctions. The theme of the event will be “21st birthday party,” to celebrate Women Helping Women’s 21st year.
A total of 198 patients were helped by funds raised through Women Helping Women last year. They received services including screening services, diagnostic services like biopsies, pelvic exams, breast MRIs, ultrasounds and bone density screenings.
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Women Helping Women is sold out, but the Hancock Health Foundation accepts contributions on an ongoing basis. You can make a tax-deductible donation online at https://www.hancockregionalhospital.org/foundation/make-a-gift/. To find out more, contact Allyson Smith, foundation manager, at (317) 468-4106 or [email protected]. You may also mail your contribution or bring it in person to: Hancock Health Foundation, 801 N. State St., Greenfield, IN 46140
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