Did you know that breast cancer is one of the few cancers where early detection can literally be the difference between life and death? Yet, Wyoming ranks last in the nation for breast cancer screenings in women 50 and older. Add to this, every single day a Wyoming resident is diagnosed with breast cancer according to the Department of Health. Enter the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative (WBCI).

Started in 2016, WBCI is one of the only non-profits in Wyoming solely dedicated to increasing early detection, decreasing late-stage diagnosis, and supporting breast cancer survivors. Through year-round fundraising efforts, WBCI raises, then disperses funds to local Wyoming programs through grants. WBCI Community Grants are awarded to programs that provide services in one of four funding priority areas: education and awareness, screening and early detection testing, patient navigation and providing support to breast cancer patients and survivors.

Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is proud to announce they have been chosen as a recipient of a 2023 WBCI Community Grant to provide vital services throughout Carbon County. The grant was written and approved to promote and raise awareness for Carbon County residents in the importance of screening mammograms and complete breast care and imaging, to assist Carbon County residents with funds for screening and diagnostic imaging, and to help navigate patients and survivors though the services offered locally and statewide.

According to Jan Gulbrandson, Director of Ancillary Services at Memorial Hospital of Carbon County, receiving the WBCI Community Grant plays a vital role in providing this critical service to women in rural Wyoming. “We strive to provide both education and critical breast imaging to the women of Carbon County; WBCI funds help our community attain breast imaging needed for screening and early detection of breast cancer.” Memorial Hospital of Carbon County has been providing education/awareness, early detection screening, diagnostic imaging, and patient navigation services since 2014.

Kelly Morgan, Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative’s Executive Director, states, “As the new director, I’m truly astounded by what the WBCI does to promote early breast cancer detection. Since its inception, the WBCI has been able to grant out over eight hundred fifteen thousand dollars to projects across Wyoming. All of the funds come from local Wyoming residents and businesses, many of whom have a personal connection to breast cancer. Nothing makes us more proud than knowing we are being good stewards to our donors’ hard earned money. Memorial Hospital of Carbon County is only one example of sixteen other projects in Wyoming we are able to fund. Every funded project brings us closer to our mission of increasing early detection, decreasing late-stage diagnosis and supporting those in the fight of their lives.”

Anyone wanting to learn more about mammograms and financial assistance available for uninsured and underinsured women should contact the MHCC Radiology Department at 307-324-8381. To learn more about the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative and how you can help support breast cancer projects in Wyoming, please visit www.wyomingbreastcancer.org or like WBCI on social media.