Bothwell Regional Health Center Foundation Raising Funds For 3D Mammography Equipment

Breast cancer will be the focus of the Bothwell Regional Health Center Foundation’s biannual Benefit to be held Saturday, Nov. 8.

The event, which will be held at Missouri Electric Cooperative Building on the Fairgrounds, will include a cocktail hour, dinner, program and dance with music by the band MDock.

“This is going to be a wonderful evening,” said Event Chairperson Robyn Wadley. “The dinner is always fantastic, and we’re having a band for the first time this year. MDock is based in Springfield and performs a lot in Branson, but they have also performed in Mexico and Japan. We think they’re going to be a great addition to the Foundation Benefit.”

The benefit, dubbed “Making a Difference, One Woman at a Time,” is being held to raise funds to help bring 3D mammography, or tomosynthesis, to the Sedalia area. Bothwell currently offers 2D mammography at the Bothwell Diagnostic Center.

“Our 2D digital mammography unit was state of the art when the Bothwell Diagnostic Center opened in 2005, but like all other technology, mammography changes and improves,” said Lisa Church, director of the Foundation and Communications. “3D mammography is relatively new, but studies have already shown that it finds up to 41 percent more of the deadly invasive types of breast cancer than 2D technology.

In a recent study done by the Journal of American Medical Association, the 3-D mammography, not only helped in early detection, but resulted in 15 percent fewer call-backs for additional imaging while at the same time spotting more tiny, aggressive and potentially fatal tumors.

“Breast cancer is so prevalent. In fact, one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime. We think women in this area deserve the very best in helping to diagnose breast cancer soon so that treatment can be more effective with better outcomes,” Church said.

This month, Better Country, KIX 105, 92.3 Bob-FM and Newstalk 1050 KSIS will share stories from those going through breast cancer, those who are proud supporters and more.

If you'd like tickets to the BRHC Foundation Benefit, tickets are $150 per person and are available at brhc.org, by e-mailing Foundation@brhc.org or calling (660)-826-6263. More information on the Bothwell Foundation Benefit is available on the hospital website at brhc.org or the Foundation Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Bothwell Foundation.