Health Center Receives Donation for Preventative Cancer Care

Garrison Women’s Health Center (GWHC) announced recently that it will provide $5 coffee gift cards to 200 women undergoing their first mammograms at the practice, according to a press statement.

The program, made possible by the generous donation of local cancer survivor Michelle Cedrone, is designed to spark conversation among patients and their loved ones about the importance of mammograms and self exams. In addition, GWHC will match every card distributed with a $5 donation to My Breast Cancer Support, a local non-profit organization.
Cedrone was diagnosed with cancer at 33, seven years before mammogram screenings traditionally begin for women. Through self-examination, she noticed an irregularity in her breast and got the proper treatment at Garrison.

“Garrison provided me with love and support when I was going through this extremely difficult time, and I can’t imagine receiving care from a better group of women,” said Cedrone. “Whether it’s through self-examination, a mammogram, or genetic testing, early detection is very important. Breast cancer awareness should happen all year long, so with Garrison’s help, the least I can do is remind women to get a mammogram by giving them a cup of coffee.”

Prior to her cancer care, Cedrone was a Garrison patient during two life-threatening, high-risk pregnancies.

“We are incredibly grateful for Michelle’s donation,” said GWHC Mammographer Sue Letourneau. “Through these small acts of kindness, we will hopefully get women in the seacoast area continually thinking about breast health, rather than just during one month a year.”

For individuals considered too young for annual mammogram screenings, Cedrone and the providers at GWHC encourage women to conduct regular self-examinations. “I found my cancer though a self-examination, and was diagnosed when my children were 5- and 3-years-old,” she adds. “My story could have gone much differently if I had waited for a mammogram.”

To schedule a mammogram appointment or consultation with the experts at Garrison Women’s Health,­ please call 1-800-238-7505.

Garrison Women’s Health Center is a community-based health center that serves women in Dover, and the surrounding area. Founded in 1962, GWHC has been supporting women with excellence and compassion by providing obstetrics, gynecology, incontinence and infertility services to the Seacoast region for over 50 years.

For more information, visit gwhc.com or call 800-238-7507.

Caption: Garrison Women’s Health Center Mammographer Sue Letourneau, left, and Michelle Cedrone.