Mammograms offered for free - call today!
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

Women in Ripley County have a wonderful opportunity thanks to the efforts of a group of organizations and people who are interested in promoting preventive health care.

Mammograms are being offered free of charge today, July 13, and Thursday, July 15, from 7:45 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Margaret Mary Community Hospital, Batesville, (Radiology Services - 1st Floor).

You do have to call ahead for an appointment and may do so by calling the Ripley County Health Department at 812-689-0506.

If you're not able to make appointments this week or travel to Batesville, there will be four more opportunities as a mobile unit will be making stops throughout the county in August and September.

The mobile unit is scheduled to be at the Friendship Fire House on August 9; Ripley County Health De
partment, Versailles, August 18; Purdue Extension Office, Ripley County Fairgrounds, Osgood, August 30; and at the Sunman Town Hall on September 7.

This first time collaborative effort was made possible through a partnership between the Ripley County Health Department and The University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, and was funded by the Ripley County Community Foundation and the John A. Hillenbrand Foundation.

Sally Morris, Executive Director of the Ripley County Community Foundation was excited about the
project saying, "This is an excellent opportunity for these foundations to make a difference in women's lives by offering preventive health care." She also noted that the mammograms and readings are offered at no cost, along with educational resources.

The effort is targeted to women who might find themselves at this time without insurance or cannot afford the procedure. However, no financial information is asked when ap
pointments are made.

Armed with the knowledge that breast cancer can usually be treated if caught in the early stages, this effort was made by the participating foundations to make sure every woman, regardless of their financial situation, could be educated and receive a mammogram.