News : VGH proceeding with mammography unit plans; fund-raising events this weekend

Just about every week, says Angie Tharp, another area woman hears a doctor say the dreadful words that Tharp and too many others have already heard: Breast cancer.

Tharp, one of the organizers of Survivors of Benton County -- Breast Friends and Fighters, is also on a committee of women organizing the first fund-raiser for a new mammography unit at Virginia Gay Hospital.

The events this weekend include a golf tournament today, Friday, Aug. 5, and a 5K run/walk on Saturday, Aug. 6 (Click HERE to see the two-page flyer for those events from the VGH Foundation web page). Anyone can sign up the day of the event for either golf or the 5K.

For many of the women who receive that diagnosis, the journey begins at Virginia Gay Hospital, where for years, the Mercy Mobile Mammography service has made regular visits.

Mercy's service is great, says VGH Imaging Services Director Monica Stark. But, she says, having its own mammography unit available every day will offer many benefits to the hospital's patients.

Imaging Services technologist Maria Davis is receiving training to operate the mammography unit, and personnel at the hospital will be able to conduct biopsies, if needed. That, Stark says, means that a patient can have all of her necessary initial testing done locally, and more quickly.

Virginia Gay Hospital has committed to installing the mammography unit in the next 12 to 18 months, says Stark. Fund-raisers like the golf tournament and 5K event will help cover the cost. Other area individuals and organizations have also donated to VGH for its breast care programs, says Stark.

There is already a sign on a door in the Imaging Service Department that reads Mammography. Stark put it in that area to reserve it for that purpose.

"I want to make sure that area did not get used for anything else," she said.

While the Virginia Gay Hospital Foundation is the official organization sponsoring the fund-raisers, Foundation Director Mike Timmermans says the committee of breast cancer survivors has done most of the work to organize the events. The Foundation is merely the "conduit" for passing on the funds for the project, he said.

'Bad luck and genetics'

Recently, Stark learned about four Garrison women who were diagnosed with breast cancer, all within approximately one month. That unusually high occurrence rate inspired some soil and water testing to see if there were any possible environmental factors that could have contributed to the cancer risk.

But, says Stark, the testing revealed nothing to indicate any environmental explanations.

"It's just bad luck," she said, adding that genetics, too, is often a factor.

Tharp said she knows two women who have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Survivors meet every first Tuesday

The Survivors of Benton County meet at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month, at Windsor Manor, where they enjoy a hot meal cooked and served by the staff there. There is no charge, although a freewill offering is accepted. Tharp said the attendees enjoy the meal and the shared stories. She said any breast cancer survivor is welcome.

"It's not only for women from within Benton County," she says.