4th Annual Gather for the Cure: Honoring Survivors and Cherishing Memories of Those Lost to Breast Cancer
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, MercyOne Genesis and the MercyOne Genesis Health Services Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness Month will host the 4th Annual Gather for the Cure on Saturday, October 19, at Scott County Park, Whispering Pines Indoor Shelter.
WHO: Gather For The Cure
WHEN: 9:30 am to 12 pm, Saturday, October 19.
WHERE: Scott County Park, Whispering Pines Indoor Shelter
Highlights:
One-mile Walk beginning at 11 am
Presentation by a breast cancer survivor
Purchase a breast cancer awareness ornament created by Isabel Bloom and have the artist Donna Young s
"Pink Heals" Fire Truck
Pink-themed selfie station
Vendor stations
Creative art by Gilda's Club Quad Cities
Refreshments will be available
11:55 am: Bubble blowing in memory of those we've lost and in honor of those fighting breast cancer. Final announcements and prize and raffle drawings
Background:
The event is an opportunity to celebrate breast cancer survivorship, remember those lives lost to breast cancer, and learn about available programs and resources. Gather for the Cure is the primary fundraiser for the Genesis Voucher Program. Genesis has been administering the Voucher Program since 2001, providing no-cost mammograms and ultrasounds in a timely and efficient manner to qualifying patients.
The fundraiser will help fill the funding gap created when the Susan G. Komen organization ended financial support to voucher programs in the Quad-Cities region in 2021.
Voucher Program by The Numbers:
153 Individuals accessed the Voucher Program
76 Iowa Residents, 77 Illinois Residents
8 Patients received multiple exams covered by the Voucher Program
92 Screening mammograms covered
35 Diagnostic mammograms covered
28 Diagnostic breast ultrasounds covered
$26,830 Paid out to cover breast health services
Cost Should Never Be A Barrier
Because cost should never be a barrier to accessing essential life-saving breast imaging, the Genesis Foundation is committed to raising funds needed to meet the demand – an estimated $50,000 annually.
"Supporting breast cancer screening means taking a stand for early detection, which is our greatest weapon against this disease. By encouraging regular screening, we give women the chance to catch breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable, and ultimately save lives. Together, we can ensure that more women have access to the care and prevention they deserve,” said Jenny Kitsis, MercyOne Genesis women’s health grant specialist.
According to the American Cancer Society, there were an estimated 3,010 new cases of female breast cancer in Iowa and 11,870 new cases of female breast cancer in Illinois in 2024.
"Breast cancer statistics aren’t just numbers-they represent our mothers, sisters, friends, and loved ones. Behind every diagnosis is a person whose life can be saved through early detection and treatment," said Kitsis.
For more information on the voucher program, go to www.genesishealth.com/CBH.