October 19, 2010

“We are tickled pink.” That's how organizers of yesterday's Breast Screening Challenge described the day.

As of 8 o'clock last night, 155 women had received a breast screening mammogram. They are now new clients with the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP).

“I am absolutely delighted by the response,” says Lori Della Vedova, Manager Screening Programs at Regional Cancer Care. “The OBSP office was a hive of activity, with new clients being registered all day long.”

“We came so very, very close to our ambitious goal and we surpassed the 150 mark from last year,” Lori explains. “We are thrilled with the success of this recruitment event and congratulate all the screening sites involved in Thunder Bay, Kenora and Fort Frances. And special thanks to all the women who took time out of their busy day to participate in this Challenge – we couldn't have had such a successful event without them.”

Mary Lou Sandberg of Thunder Bay was one of the last women to join the challenge. She received her first breast screening mammogram just before 8 p.m. last night. She decided to take action when she heard about it on the radio.

“My husband wanted me to go, my sister wanted me to go, then I heard it on the radio and I thought to myself "I need to go?,” says Mary Lou. “So I called my sister and said 'That's it, we're going right after dinner,' and we did.”

“We were both so nervous and afraid, but the staff are very comforting and it didn't hurt at all. Today my sister and I are feeling very relieved,” she adds.

Not to worry if you missed the yesterday's Breast Screening Challenge. The Challenge is not over yet - OBSP is encouraging all women ages 50 and over to join the program at anytime.

To join the Ontario Breast Screening Program, phone the toll-free number: 1-800-461-7031. In Thunder call: 684-7777.

About the Challenge:

The Breast Screening Challenge was held as part of the OBSP 20th Anniversary Celebration this October. The goal was to provide high-quality breast screening mammograms to 160 new clients in Northwestern Ontario in one day. The Challenge took place on October 18th, from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., in Thunder Bay, Fort Frances and Kenora.

Appointments are available at the six following sites:
 

• Thunder Bay Medical Centre
• CML Imaging at Port Arthur Health Centre
• Linda Buchan Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
• Riverside Healthcare Facilities in Fort Frances
• Lake of the Woods District Hospital in Kenora
• OBSP Mobile Breast Screening Coach

All new clients who register for OBSP during the month of October will receive a free “Thingamaboob”.

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