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The Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation announced that it received a $100,000 gift from the Whedon Cancer Detection Foundation in support of the campaign to raise $250,000 for digital mammography equipment at Sheridan Memorial Hospital.

The Whedon Foundation was established nearly sixty years ago by Dr. Earl and Bessie Whedon and is active today in the Sheridan and Johnson County communities.  The main purposes established in the trust guide the Whedon board members Holland Duell, Dr. Howard Mussell, and Kay Wallick along with emeritus member William Porter, Sr., to consider and support various projects which support the early detection of cancer.  The Whedon Foundation currently contributes to prostate, bladder, skin, cervical and colon cancer screenings.

According to the Hospital Foundation’s Executive Director Ada Kirven, “This generous gift from the Earl and Bessie Whedon Cancer Detection Foundation gives our campaign an enormous boost toward the goal.  Combined with funds raised at the Pink Link Event, we have only $85,000 left to raise to complete the fund drive.”

A month-long effort of Breast Cancer Awareness during October brought this cancer issue to the forefront.  Kirven added, “The hospital is extremely grateful to have the Whedon Foundation as a significant partner in the purchase of this equipment.  Whedon, along with more than 600 other community members who made a commitment with their participation and volunteerism at the Pink Link, makes a very strong statement—our community wants to add digital mammography as an option for breast cancer screening.” 

The Hospital Foundation’s current campaign to raise $250,000 for digital mammography equipment aligns well with the Whedon mission.  The advantages of digital imaging are important in today’s medical practice.   Physicians and health care workers agree that the ability to manipulate images electronically is the preferred method of viewing and evaluating mammograms.  There is no waiting and the technologist and physicians evaluate and are able to share images immediately. 

Another benefit is the capability to increase contrast when imaging dense breast tissue, usually found in women under the age of 50.  This dense tissue can mask or camouflage some cancers from early detection.  Using digital mammography, a 3D imaging process, contrast, and dual energy methods, holds promise that currently invisible cancers will be accurately shown, detected, and treated timely.

Source: Sheridan Memorial Hospital

Discuss more about Mammography in our Mammography group