West Carolina Announces $25,000 Donation to Mobile Mammography Unit

West Carolina announced a $25,000 donation to the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation’s 3-D Mobile Mammography Unit initiative that will give thousands of people in the Lakelands region improved access to breast mammography.  The Self Regional Healthcare Foundation launched this effort in October 2023, thanks to a lead gift of $250,000 from The Dabo and Kathleen Swinney All In Team Foundation.

“West Carolina’s generous commitment will go a long way towards helping Self Regional Healthcare provide lifesaving technology that will help with the early detection of breast cancer and will ensure that women across the region will have access to the most advanced breast imaging equipment available today,” said Ken Coffey, Executive Director of the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation.  

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and according to SCDHEC, breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among women in South Carolina. 3-D mammography has been proven to be the most effective modality in early breast cancer detection, and the earlier detection occurs, the better the chances of survival. 

It was no coincidence that West Carolina’s donation came during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. “This year, we focused on raising awareness about early detection among our employees,” said Jeff Wilson, CEO of West Carolina. “We gifted every employee a pink West Carolina t-shirt and care package to emphasize the importance of screenings. Taking this commitment further by supporting the Mobile Mammography Unit, which has the power to save lives, is something we’re deeply proud of.”  

Wilson acknowledged Self Regional Healthcare’s impact on the region, saying, “Self Regional is a tremendous force for good in our communities. By delivering high-quality healthcare, they contribute significantly to the vitality of this area, making it a destination to start a family, business, or retire. Our region is rich with resources — from healthcare and fiber internet to recreation, arts, and a thriving business climate — making it a remarkable place to call home.” 

“West Carolina’s incredibly generous gift ties in perfectly with the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation’s Equation For Progress Campaign which, in part, is focused on creating a comprehensive breast center of excellence for women, a project that may very well be the most consequential project our Foundation has ever undertaken,” said Coffey.

“We’re incredibly grateful to West Carolina and our other generous community donors for making this unit possible. Charitable support from our community allows us to continue investing in the latest technology and innovations enhance the quality and access to healthcare,” said John Cooper, Chair of the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees.

So far, the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation has raised almost $600,000 toward the purchase of a new 3-D Mobile Mammography vehicle that will likely require a total investment of approximately $1 million.  

For more information on how to help Self Regional win the battle against breast cancer, contact the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation at 864-725-5142.  To learn more about Self Regional’s Mobile Mammography Unit, please visit www.selfregionalfoundation.org.