Sutter Health to Expand Breast Cancer Services in East Bay with $4 Million Gift

OAKLAND, Calif., Oct. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center at Sutter Health's Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland has received a $4 million gift from an anonymous donor. The donation will be dedicated to improving early breast cancer detection, treatment and patient support services for women in the East Bay. This includes placing a high priority on breast cancer screening and treatment of African-American women who are estimated to be 40 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than Caucasian women according to the most recent statistics.

With this investment, the breast health center will expand access to advanced screening technology and extensive patient navigation support systems across all three Sutter-affiliated hospitals in the East Bay. This includes Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland and Berkeley, Sutter Delta Medical Center in Antioch, and Eden Medical Center in Castro Valley.

"Women have a 1 in 8 chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime, and Sutter Health is committed to increasing the detection and prevention of the disease and the survival rates for all women in the East Bay," said Julie Petrini, CEO of Hospitals, Sutter Health Bay Area. "By creating a regional breast cancer program, we are proud to bring the same exceptional mammography screening, treatment and compassionate support services provided at Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center to our three Sutter hospitals. We hope that our efforts will serve as a model for how all hospitals can come together to fight this disease and win."

To further accelerate the impact of this donation and help even more women, Better Health East Bay, a Sutter Health regional philanthropic foundation, has joined Susan G. Komen and Black Women's Health Imperative to launch the East Bay Breast Cancer Fund, a community fund managed by Community Health Charities, to raise additional money to advance the goal of improving breast health for all women in the region. This collaboration aims to match the $4 million gift through corporate partnerships and employee workplace giving programs in the East Bay.

"We know breast cancer is a leading cause of death for Black, Asian and Hispanic women, and we are proud to be part of the East Bay Breast Cancer Fund, to ensure all women get screened starting at age 40 and receive high-quality treatment, which will save lives," said Linda Goler Blount, president and CEO of the Black Women's Health Imperative. "Together, we can help more women beat breast cancer so they can get back to the most important things in their lives."  

Research has shown that use of digital breast tomosynthesis, also known as 3D mammography, in combination with standard mammography, may improve breast cancer detection rates and reduce unnecessary follow-up services for some patients. Patient navigator programs have also proven highly effective in ensuring women get mammograms on a regular basis and in preventing breast cancer treatment delays or interruptions. Applying the two interventions has been shown to be a powerful combination.

"This generous $4 million gift will serve as an important catalyst to expand our efforts to provide state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and ongoing breast cancer support services for many more women in the East Bay," said Jim Hickman, CEO of Better Health East Bay, Sutter Health's regional philanthropic foundation. "Thanks to strong community partnerships and caring, compassionate donors right here in the East Bay, we will save lives which is the most important outcome of all."

About Sutter Health
Serving patients and their families in more than 100 Northern California cities and towns, Sutter Health doctors, not-for-profit hospitals and other healthcare service providers share resources and expertise to advance health care quality and access. The Sutter Medical Network includes many of California's top-performing, highest-quality physician organizations as measured annually by the Integrated Healthcare Association. Sutter-affiliated hospitals are regional leaders in cardiac care, women's and children's services, cancer care, orthopedics and advanced patient-safety technology. Sutter Health cares for more than 3 million people in 100 Northern California communities.

Better Health East Bay is the Sutter Health philanthropic foundation providing fundraising support for the regional expansion of the Carol Ann Read Breast Health Center.

About Susan G. Komen®
Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. Since its founding in 1982, Komen has funded more than $920 million in research and provided more than $2 billion in funding to screening, education, treatment and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 30 countries worldwide. Komen was founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at ww5.komen.org/social.

About Community Health Charities
Community Health Charities (www.healthcharities.org) is a non-profit federation committed to connecting nearly 2,000 of the most trusted health charities across the United States with more than 17 million caring donors through workplace giving programs. With the health challenges we face today, making a meaningful difference is more important than ever. 77% of U.S. workers suffer from at least one long-term health condition, ranging from obesity to cancer – chances are someone you know is affected.  Whatever the need, you can rest assured that our member charities – such as Alzheimer's Association, Autism Speaks, JDRF, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital – are working tirelessly to address it.

 About Black Women's Health Imperative
The Black Women's Health Imperative is the only national organization dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the nation's 21 million Black women and girls — physically, emotionally and financially.  It identifies the most pressing health issues and invests in the best of the best strategies, partners and organizations that share their goal: ensuring Black women live longer, healthier, more prosperous lives.

Media Contact:
Sandy Pfaff
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SOURCE Sutter Health

Related Links

http://www.altabatessummit.org