Members of the Girls Night Out Altoona, Inc. (GNOAI) committee delivered a donation of $38,500 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 tenth annual event was held in October at the Jaffa Shrine in Altoona with nearly 950 people in attendance.
“We are very grateful for the continued support we receive from the Girls Night Out Altoona, Inc. organization. The committee’s dedication, passion, and enthusiasm 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 Administrator.
GNOAI has been raising funds for the JMBCC since 2008. Since then, they have contributed more than $293,500 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. Netting a total $120,500, proceeds from this year’s event have been split between the four organizations we support – the Joyce Murtha Breast Care Center, The Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, The Breast Cancer & Women’s Health Institute of Pennsylvania, and UPMC Altoona Breast Health Center,” stated GNOAI President Juls Bratton.
Pictured below from L to R: GNOAI President Juls Bratton; GNOAI committee members Linda Filby, Sue Trexler Mielnik, Linda Bonsell, Dianne Crust, Janice Frank, and Loane Maier; JMBCC Director Erin Goins; and CSSMCW President Tom Kurtz.
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.