The Women’s Health Clinic receives a grant from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust Inc. (IBCAT)

The mission of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust Inc. is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and support services throughout Indiana. The trust receives funds through sales from the breast cancer awareness special recognition license plate, which began in January 2002, and individual donations. Each year, IBCAT invites organizations to apply for grants, and in 2021, The Women’s Clinic was one of 26 organizations in Indiana to receive funding.

Through proceeds raised, monies are available for grants deemed to best address the unmet breast health/cancer needs of the people of Indiana. Each Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness plate sold generates a $25 donation. Since the trust began grant-making in 2005, more than $6 million has been provided to organizations that provide breast cancer screening/diagnostic and support programs.  For more information on IBCAT or to donate, visit their website at www.breastcancerplate.org.

The team from the Women’s Clinic stated, “Funding from the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust will allow the Women’s Health Clinic to provide 3-D screening mammograms, clinical breast exams performed by our women’s health nurse practitioner, diagnostic services (including diagnostic mammograms and breast ultrasounds), breast biopsies, and breast MRIs to qualifying patients. Our goal is to decrease the incidence of breast cancer in the targeted counties Clinic patients are treated with the upmost respect and dignity and receive the highest quality breast health services. This program will allow us to reduce barriers for patients, keep them in the continuum of breast care, and navigate them to needed breast health services.”

Patients will be screened for eligibility through a phone interview in which the needed services are discussed and income information is provided. At that time an appointment will be scheduled. Patients will complete an intake form and financial aid application.

For more information about the program and qualifications for eligibility, contact The Women’s Clinic at Hancock Regional Hospital at (317) 468-4641.