Success in treating and beating cancer is greatest when it is found early in its progression. For those without adequate medical insurance to cover regular doctor visits, this is a challenge. Among uninsured and underinsured individuals, cancer is typically detected later, treatment is delayed, and morbidity rates are higher – particularly among people of color.

St. Vincent’s Mobile Unit travels throughout the community to provide preventative screenings without the need for a doctor’s visit. For low income women, contributions from donors like you allow St. Vincent to provide free screenings to women who would otherwise forgo this important component of preventative care.

Each year, St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital performs a grand total of 18,500 mammograms, with 2,500 screenings taking place on the Mobile Unit and 16,000 taking place at the Hospital. Among the Mobile Unit screenings, approximately 14% are provided for free to low income, uninsured, and underinsured women. By comparison, only 1% of screenings provided at the Hospital are provided for free to qualifying women. In 2017, St. Vincent provided 568 free screenings; in 2018, this number was 602. Recent trends suggest that the Hospital should prepare for an additional fifty (50) free screenings per year. Based on the Medicare reimbursement rate of $131 per screening, St. Vincent Foundation has a goal to raise at least $85,000 in 2019 to cover anticipated demand.