PCH announces breast cancer awareness drawing winners

Jane Frost (center) was one of two winners of the Putnam County Hospital breast cancer awareness drawing. She was presented her prize by Anita Custis and Surita Grassick.

The breast imaging staff at Putnam County Hospital congratulates Jane Frost of Bainbridge and Meghann Miller of Roachdale as the winners of the breast cancer awareness gift basket drawings.

The first quarterly drawings for BCA gift baskets were to promote and celebrate women having their first mammogram at PCH and the women who faithfully return yearly. The American Cancer Society recommends that every woman age 40 and over have yearly mammograms and continue to do so as long as it is possible to do so.

Frost and Miller won baskets of BCA goodies including an umbrella, Longaberger Horizon of Hope BCA basket, pink Igloo cube cooler, insulated lunch bag, jar candles, totes, travel, sewing and personal accessories, along with a number of additional items.

Each basket also included a beautiful pink scarf, compliments of the handiwork of retired PCH mammographer Val Lyons.

"Our first quarter was truly a success. We saw more women having their first mammogram than the same quarter last year," breast ultrasound specialist Anita Custis said. "We had a blast scouring stores and the internet looking for fun goodies to put in the baskets. Breast cancer can be effectively treated when found early as evidenced by the number of survivors we see daily."

The second quarter (January through March) basket drawing will celebrate every woman having a mammogram at PCH. An additional basket drawing will be specifically for a Survivor having her mammogram during this period.

Janice Dazey, PCH dietary employee and BCA sponsor has graciously donated a $50 gift card on behalf of herself and Dazey Trucking to help in the battle against breast cancer.

Meghann Miller (second from left) was one of the two winners of the Putnam County Hospital breast cancer awareness drawing. She was presented her prize by Jessie Lund, Anita Custis and Surita Grassick of PCH.

"I was excited when Janice generously donated the gift card and knew we would need to find a special use for it," lead mammographer Cindy Mason said. "We just cannot thank her enough."

Surita Grassick reminded every woman in the community that PCH offers digital mammography, which is the highest level of quality.

"But even more, we feel we have a superior group of radiologists reading the mammograms," Grassick said. "Hendricks County Radiology, composed of doctors Joe Hunt, Joe Mulholland, Mike Flood and Fred McFall, is committed to a high level of excellence in reading mammograms, personally and professionally."

Rounding out the breast imaging staff is Jessie Lund, who would like to remind every woman "to continue doing your monthly breast self-exams and keep on track with getting your mammograms. The earlier breast cancer is detected the better chance a woman has to overcome it."

Breast cancer awareness is a daily event at Putnam County Hospital. While Breast Cancer Awareness month is in October every year, the imaging staff feels it is important to celebrate and recognize those who have their yearly exams in the other 11 months and look forward to continuing the drawings for gifts through the end of September 2012.

To schedule a mammogram, call 658-2760.