In our continued commitment to offer preventative services that improve the health and wellbeing of community members, Carle Health proudly provided hundreds of individuals with free mammograms and cancer screenings in 2024.
Across two regions and three community events, at least 110 people received screenings for various cancers and more than 100 received mammograms, all free of charge thanks to federal funding and fundraising efforts from the Carle Health Center for Philanthropy.
Free Mammogram Day
For more than 20 years, Carle Health Pekin Hospital and the local health department teamed up to provide free mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women every third Friday in October. This coincided with National Mammography Day.
This year, Carle Health brought services to even more communities. On Oct. 18, Carle BroMenn Medical Center partnered up with Prairie State Women's Health to hold its first Free Mammo Day event, providing free care and follow-up appointments for uninsured and underinsured individuals ages 40 to 64 at its Outpatient Center.
Additionally, Carle Health Methodist and Proctor Hospitals each hosted Free Mammo Day events
in partnership with the Tazewell County Health Department.
“This is such an important way to help women who are uninsured or underinsured receive the breast care they need,” Beth Ghidina, Carle Health Bloomington-Normal Service Area Imaging director said. “Mammograms are critical to early detection of symptoms, early diagnosis and swift treatment. We look forward to continuing to provide care for our local communities and collaborating with the Prairie State Women's Health with this annual event.”
Across both events, a total of 105 uninsured and underinsured individuals received free mammograms, and many in need of diagnostic breast care were able to set up follow-up appointments.
“It is a day to give back to patients and families in the communities we serve,” Sara Lawson, Carle Health Greater Peoria regional lead mammographer, said. “Providing women with these opportunities is lifesaving and early detection is the key. I’m so proud of the work of our team members and community partners that helped make this possible.”
Free Cancer Screening Day
Since 2021, Carle Health Greater Peoria Oncology has offered community members free, walk-in cancer screenings made possible by funding from the Carle Health Center for Philanthropy Greater Peoria and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program.
These events provide no-cost screenings for lung, skin, breast, colon, cervical and genetic cancers. They also give eligible visitors a chance to schedule a free mammogram at one of four Carle Health Greater Peoria facilities.
“We make it a one-stop shop so everyone can make sure they are up to date on screenings and get them all in one comfortable setting,” Anne Bowman, Carle Health Methodist Hospital Oncology director said. “It is important for people to get screened because catching cancer earlier can lead to much better health outcomes for our patients and their families.”
These events are completely free to the public, whether or not they are a patient or have a connection to Carle Health.
“It means so much to our team to be able to emphasize the imp
ortance of cancer screening and prevention to our communities through these events,” Amber Fernandes, Carle Health Greater Peoria Oncology program coordinator, said. “We would not be able to do this without the support of our Center for Philanthropy and community partners.”
Across both free cancer screening events in 2024, 114 people received free screenings for various cancers, adding to a total of nearly 500 individuals since 2021.
Upcoming Events
On Friday, Nov. 9, Carle Health Greater Peoria will provide free lung cancer screenings to eligible members of the public at Proctor and Pekin hospitals, thanks in part to funding from the CHANGE grant through the NFL and American Cancer Society’s Crucial Catch effort.
Screenings will be available from 8 a.m. until noon in observance of National Lung Cancer Screening Day.
“These screenings allow for early detection of cancer, which can significantly increase a patient's likelihood of successful treatment. We absolutely encourage anyone who is eligible to take advantage,” Heather Franklin, Oncology Services nurse practitioner at the Carle Health Suspicion of Cancer Clinic, said.
Individuals ages 50 to 77 with a smoking history are recommended to discuss with their provider or speak with a lung screening specialist at (309) 672-3189.
Additional Free Cancer Screening Days in 2025 will be announced at a later date. Learn more about Carle Health’s life-saving oncology services at carle.org.
Across two regions and three community events, at least 110 people received screenings for various cancers and more than 100 received mammograms, all free of charge thanks to federal funding and fundraising efforts from the Carle Health Center for Philanthropy.
Free Mammogram Day
For more than 20 years, Carle Health Pekin Hospital and the local health department teamed up to provide free mammograms for uninsured and underinsured women every third Friday in October. This coincided with National Mammography Day.
This year, Carle Health brought services to even more communities. On Oct. 18, Carle BroMenn Medical Center partnered up with Prairie State Women's Health to hold its first Free Mammo Day event, providing free care and follow-up appointments for uninsured and underinsured individuals ages 40 to 64 at its Outpatient Center.
Additionally, Carle Health Methodist and Proctor Hospitals each hosted Free Mammo Day events
in partnership with the Tazewell County Health Department.“This is such an important way to help women who are uninsured or underinsured receive the breast care they need,” Beth Ghidina, Carle Health Bloomington-Normal Service Area Imaging director said. “Mammograms are critical to early detection of symptoms, early diagnosis and swift treatment. We look forward to continuing to provide care for our local communities and collaborating with the Prairie State Women's Health with this annual event.”
Across both events, a total of 105 uninsured and underinsured individuals received free mammograms, and many in need of diagnostic breast care were able to set up follow-up appointments.
“It is a day to give back to patients and families in the communities we serve,” Sara Lawson, Carle Health Greater Peoria regional lead mammographer, said. “Providing women with these opportunities is lifesaving and early detection is the key. I’m so proud of the work of our team members and community partners that helped make this possible.”
Free Cancer Screening Day
Since 2021, Carle Health Greater Peoria Oncology has offered community members free, walk-in cancer screenings made possible by funding from the Carle Health Center for Philanthropy Greater Peoria and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Illinois Breast & Cervical Cancer Program.
These events provide no-cost screenings for lung, skin, breast, colon, cervical and genetic cancers. They also give eligible visitors a chance to schedule a free mammogram at one of four Carle Health Greater Peoria facilities.“We make it a one-stop shop so everyone can make sure they are up to date on screenings and get them all in one comfortable setting,” Anne Bowman, Carle Health Methodist Hospital Oncology director said. “It is important for people to get screened because catching cancer earlier can lead to much better health outcomes for our patients and their families.”
These events are completely free to the public, whether or not they are a patient or have a connection to Carle Health.
“It means so much to our team to be able to emphasize the imp
ortance of cancer screening and prevention to our communities through these events,” Amber Fernandes, Carle Health Greater Peoria Oncology program coordinator, said. “We would not be able to do this without the support of our Center for Philanthropy and community partners.”Across both free cancer screening events in 2024, 114 people received free screenings for various cancers, adding to a total of nearly 500 individuals since 2021.
Upcoming Events
On Friday, Nov. 9, Carle Health Greater Peoria will provide free lung cancer screenings to eligible members of the public at Proctor and Pekin hospitals, thanks in part to funding from the CHANGE grant through the NFL and American Cancer Society’s Crucial Catch effort.
Screenings will be available from 8 a.m. until noon in observance of National Lung Cancer Screening Day.
“These screenings allow for early detection of cancer, which can significantly increase a patient's likelihood of successful treatment. We absolutely encourage anyone who is eligible to take advantage,” Heather Franklin, Oncology Services nurse practitioner at the Carle Health Suspicion of Cancer Clinic, said.
Individuals ages 50 to 77 with a smoking history are recommended to discuss with their provider or speak with a lung screening specialist at (309) 672-3189.
Additional Free Cancer Screening Days in 2025 will be announced at a later date. Learn more about Carle Health’s life-saving oncology services at carle.org.
Categories: Redefining Healthcare