Women without access to health insurance had an opportunity to get a mammogram Saturday. The service was offered by Alpha Kappa Alpha’s local Delta Xi Omega chapter in conjunction with Novant Health’s mobile mammography unit.
This is the mobile unit’s second appearance at First Calvary. Program Chairman Marva McCain said they hope to do many more.
“We’ve had such a great response,” she said.
Last year was the first time the sorority arranged to use the mobile unit as part of a health initiative. McCain said about 20 took part.
This year, nearly 50 came in for a scan.
Alpha Kappa Alpha focuses on making sure that women without health insurance have the first opportunity.
“It’s really important that they’re offered this free service,” chapter President Renese Bates said.
According to Bates, several walk-ins came on Saturday and had to be turned away because Bates said they were already booked solid.
Beverly Kerr, a participant, said that this is her second mammogram. The first time she went to a doctor’s office. She thinks the mobile unit is better, not only due to its ability to help to people who are unable to go to a clinic, but because all of the responsibility is on the patient.
“You’re making the appointment, you’re making the commitment,” she said.
Kerr also said that she felt much more relaxed and comfortable than she had in the doctor’s office.
April Parton, of China Grove, said she saw an advertisement for the event in the newspaper. It’s not her first mammogram, but she says she tries to get them as often as she can because cancer runs on both sides of her family. Parton doesn’t have insurance, and says she’d be unable to get a mammogram otherwise.
“I think it’s great that they’re doing something for the public,” she said.
The mammography unit is stationed at First Calvary Baptist as part of the church’s Community Day–a yearly event where the congregation reaches out the community by providing free school supplies, school uniforms and clothing, books, and other services.
McCain says that Alpha Kappa Alpha and First Calvary Baptist plan on inviting the mobile mammography unit back next year for another round of free mammograms.
“I enjoy it. This is what I enjoy doing,” McCain said.