The National Breast Cancer Foundation has awarded three grants to Corewell Health’s Betty Ford Breast Care Services to enhance services for underserved women, helping to overcome barriers to care.

“Corewell Health’s Betty Ford Breast Care Services is proud to partner with the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” said Anas Al-Janadi, M.D., vice president and department chief of hematology/oncology at the Corewell Health Cancer Center.  “This generous support will provide free breast cancer screenings and additional imaging resulting in simple and equitable care for women in the communities we serve.”

The Nurse Navigator program, which guides patients through each step of their diagnostic, treatment, and survivorship journey, received $42,443. The program provides critical education, emotional support, appointment coordination, patient advocacy, and referrals to specialists for further care and treatment. Nurse navigators also help manage patient care, speak with patients who receive an abnormal screening result and assist with biopsies and post-biopsy recovery. They also encourage patients to participate in screening and diagnostics, offered at no cost to uninsured or underinsured patients.

Corewell Health’s Betty Ford Breast Care Services was also awarded $11,667 to help remove gaps in services for patients who do not qualify for support under other aid programs. This funding will assist patients in 13 counties across West Michigan with high deductibles or inadequate insurance coverage who need screening and diagnostic mammograms, digital breast tomosynthesis and breast ultrasounds.

The foundation also received a $40,000 grant to relieve financial burdens for patients receiving treatment. These funds will be used to cover the cost of transportation and lodging for patients while they are undergoing treatment or for the relief of other financial difficulties due to treatment.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation’s mission is to provide help and inspire hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education, and support services. For additional information, visit nationalbreastcancer.org.