St. Elizabeth Community Hospital is adding equipment to its Imaging Center that will allow patients in need of Breast MRI to receive this service locally. Breast MRI is primarily used with individuals who have dense breast tissue, implants, or have a high risk for developing breast cancer. Additionally Breast MRI can assist physicians in determining the best course of treatment for people diagnosed with breast cancer.
This years Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign along with a grant from Mercy Foundation Norths Ida Emmerson Endowment provided the funds to purchase a MRI Coil and CAD software. Through the efforts of the Red Bluff Round-up Association, Tough Enough to Wear Pink has become an annual event at the Red Bluff Round-up. Jan Sutherland was the top bidder for the Polaris Ranger RZR that was auctioned during this years Sunday rodeo performance. This years events raised over $56,500. Jolene Kemen, Red Bluff Round-up Director and organizer of the local Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign stresses that this is a community-wide event and many businesses, service organizations and individuals participate to achieve this level of success.
Tough Enough to Wear Pink has been part of the rodeo week events since 2006, and it has raised over $208,000. These funds have supported new technology to help with early detection of breast cancer and a program to provide mammography services to individuals who are uninsured or under-insured.
St. Elizabeth Community Hospital COO, Todd Smith said that the imaging center is able to offer a variety of mammogram services, from screening to diagnostic, due in large part to this event. Sister Pat Manoli, Sr. Director of Mission Integration added this event fosters the mission of the sisters by helping St. Elizabeth Community Hospital provide mammograms to people that otherwise would not receive them. This service undoubtedly saves lives.
Mercy Foundation North is a non-profit organization sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and is dedicated to supporting their activities throughout Northern California. Guided by the Sisters mission to care for those in need of physical, spiritual, social, and emotional healing, the foundation raises money for St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, as well as other sponsored works of the Sisters in the north state.
