Members of the Girls Night Out Altoona, Inc. (GNOAI) committee delivered a donation of $32,500 to the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center (JMBCC) in support of patient care services. Each year, the committee hosts an annual fundraising dinner that brings together breast cancer survivors, family, friends, and supporters. The ninth annual event was held in October at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona with more than 900 people in attendance.
“We are extremely grateful for the continued support we receive from the Girls Night Out Altoona, Inc. organization. The dedication and hard work of these committee members allow us to continue to increase breast cancer awareness and help patients in our community,” said Kim Oleksa, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW) Foundations/Development Coordinator.
GNOAI has been raising funds for the JMBCC since 2008. Since then, they have contributed more than $220,000 to the breast care center. Their generous donations have helped to fund projects including the purchase of 3-D breast imaging equipment for women with dense breasts, as well as Pink Ribbon Care, a program that provides assistance for patients who are unable to pay for breast-related health services – including mammograms, follow-up diagnostic services, and genetic counseling.
“Girls Night Out Altoona, Inc. is proud to raise funds that are helping local people get through one of the hardest times of their lives. A total of $97,500 from this year’s event has been split equally between the three organizations we support — the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center, The Breast Cancer & Women’s Health Institute of Central PA located in Tyrone, PA for their Voucher Program, and The Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute restricted for Dr. Meyer’s Breast Cancer Research Program.” stated GNOAI President Juls Bratton.
Pictured from L to R: Juls Bratton, GNOAI President; Erin Goins, JMBCC Manager; GNOAI committee members Janice Frank, Bonnie Williams, and Dianne Crust; Kim Oleksa, CSSMCW Foundations/Development Coordinator; and GNOAI committee members Loane Maier and Mary Lou Brennecke.
About Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center
The Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center (JMBCC) opened in February 2002 offering comprehensive and personalized breast care in one convenient location. The JMBCC is exists to prevent and treat diseases of the breast and other conditions that can impact the lives of the women served. The tools and techniques used include digital mammography, ultrasound, breast biopsies, breast MRI, bone densitometry, genetic counseling, research studies, and a female breast surgeon on-site.
About Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber
Founded in 1906, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center at Windber (CSSMCW) is an independent, non-profit acute care hospital in northern Somerset County, bordering Cambria County. The 54-bed hospital shares a campus and collaborates with Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber (CSSIMMW), a private, non-profit biomedical research center. With more than 450 employees, CSSMCW is the fourth largest employer in Somerset County. CSSMCW’s mission is to provide excellence in personalized, quality health care services through innovation, research and education in response to community needs. For more information visit www.windbercare.org.