Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash
(Flint, Mich.) – Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Mott Community College President Emeritus will host a family wellness festival of events for the community she served on Saturday, October 4, from 9 AM to 4 PM at Hamilton Community Health Network, 2900 Saginaw St., Flint.
“Take Your Loved One To Get A Mammogram Wellness Da is a wellness festival of fun, food and self-care that can save lives,” said Dr. Beverly. A 15-year breast cancer survivor, Dr. Beverly shared, “I had a mammogram in January and my annual exam with a breast check-up in February. My doctor declared I was in excellent health! ‘Excellent health,’ she said.
“I had never had a doctor say that before and I felt good. One morning in April, I felt a lump and immediately called the doctor’s office. To my dismay, I was told it couldn’t possibly be cancer and was given an appointment six weeks later. In late May, I was diagnosed with stage 2 ductal carcinoma that had spread to my lymph nodes. I want to celebrate my 15-years of life with my community by bringing awareness of this potentially devastating disease.”
Statistics show:
- The earlier that female breast cancer is detected = the lower likelihood of dying from breast cancer within 5 years.
- Black women have the lowest survival rates for every known stage of breast cancer diagnosis, primarily due to unequal access to timely, high-quality treatment.
- 1 in 4 eligible Flint residents are not current with routine breast cancer screenings.
- The City of Flint has higher proportions of breast cancer cases diagnosed at a late stage, compared to the rest of the state.
The impact is even greater when individuals who are less likely to be diagnosed at early stages do not receive treatments that are effective in increasing survival rates. Critical systemic barriers such as limited access to care continue to contribute to delayed diagnosis and worse outcomes. (American Cancer Society)
Evidence shows that early detection is the difference between life and loss. This wellness festival of fun, food and self-care will offer free* mammograms during the event while also sharing information, resources and activities to help eliminate two of the biggest barriers to breast cancer screening—cost and access—while empowering residents to take control of their health.
As a way of emphasizing the importance of mammograms and physical health for men, Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley will walk through the mammogram screening procedure that morning since medical screening rules prohibit him from participating in a mammogram procedure during the event.
“Events like this Wellness Day show what true community care looks like—meeting people where they are, removing barriers, and making sure every family has access to lifesaving screenings and support. The City of Flint is proud to stand with our partners in promoting health, wellness and early detection for our residents,” said Mayor Neeley.
In addition to mammograms, the event will also offer flu vaccines, FREE manicures, flat iron and hair curls, kid zone with Bounce House and games, grocery and water distribution, health, wellness, and beauty presentations, hustle lessons, FREE food from Bella’s, various vendors, and giveaway drawings every 30 minutes. Giveaways include bicycles, scooters, gas cards, flat screen televisions, and a grand prize “staycation” with hotel/dinner/movie passes.
For information about how to register for a free mammogram, please call 810.410.2020 or email FreeMammo4U@gmail.com.
“Take Your Loved Ones To Get A Mammogram Wellness Day” is jointly sponsored by the following: The Walker Family, McLaren Flint, Hamilton Community Health Network, the City of Flint, the YWCA of Greater Flint, Consumers Energy Community Affairs, Molina Healthcare, R.L. Jones Community Outreach Center, Michigan Medicine at The University of Michigan, and the American Cancer Society.
