October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States. Early detection is important for a successful outcome, and mammography is the best way to diagnose the disease early. At the Augusta Regional Free Clinic (ARFC), we believe that every woman should have access to life-saving health screenings like mammograms, regardless of income or insurance status.

ARFC's Women's Health Program is one of our most successful collaborative ventures. As a five-year participant in a Komen Foundation Grant Program, and the new home to the area's Every Woman's Life program, we are improving the health of uninsured women in our community. This past year we provided more than 350 underserved women in Augusta County with medical and clinical breast exams, and free mammograms. Funding from the Central Virginia Affiliate of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure enables the Clinic to administer the "Recognition-Accountability-Coordination-Education (RACE)" program. This program emphasizes the need for preventive care, assists patients with scheduling medical appointments and mammograms, and provides breast health education to low-income, uninsured women aged 40-64 residing in Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County. Every Woman's Life (EWL) is a public health program that helps uninsured, low-income women gain access to free breast and cervical cancer screening services.

Thank you for your enduring support and philanthropy which makes our work possible.

Yours in health,

Margaret Hersh

Executive Director