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The Iredell Mammogram Fund received a check for $1,000 Tuesday night, thanks to the generous donations of attendees at a women’s health fundraiser held in early November.

The fund provides life-saving screenings to individuals who are unable to pay for the screening mammograms themselves and is supported solely by donations. At the time of the fundraiser, it was completely depleted. Motivated by a desire to give back to the community, Dr. Eva Imperial of Iredell Primary Care for Women hosted the popular Women & Wine event as a way to raise money for the fund and hopefully make a difference in the lives of women in need.

“It’s so important for people to get the proper screenings, but not everyone is fortunate enough to have health insurance or the money to pay for them,” Imperial said. “Raising money for the Iredell Mammogram Fund was the perfect way to help the community with such an important need.”

Women & Wine attendees were encouraged to make donations to the fund after hearing the personal story of breast cancer survivor Lori Sumner, PA-C, with Iredell Family Medicine. Sumner shared her story in hopes that it would encourage others to be alert to the signs and symptoms of breast cancer, and to take their own health seriously. Stories of how the Mammogram Fund impacts others were also shared, including the account of one woman who indicated that if not for the fund, she would never have been able to afford the tests that ultimately led to her breast cancer diagnosis. Several years later, that same individual stopped by the Iredell Women’s Health Center to thank Lois Beckett, manager of the Center, and make a donation to the fund herself.

Imperial presented the check to Beckett and Ed Morgan, Director of Imaging Services for Iredell Health System. Beckett was overcome with emotion.

“We have women calling every day that need assistance. They either don’t have insurance or are underinsured. We had a couple patients recently that left because we didn’t have any funds available. So, this is very important to us,” Beckett said. “Everyone gathering together to raise these funds shows the true spirit of our community. People in our community are very giving and want to help anyone they can. The donations made by the women going to the event, to gather that much money in one evening, is a great demonstration of everyone’s generosity.”

“This is an ongoing need, and the fund will always need donations. I’m grateful our event was able to help replenish the mammogram fund, but what I really long for is for the community to step up and show their support by donating as well,” Imperial said. “One donation can save a life.”

For more information on the Iredell Mammogram Fund, or to make a donation, call the Iredell Women’s Health Center at 704-878-4551.

Pictured left to right: Ed Morgan, Director of Imaging Services; Ed Rush, CEO ; Eva Imperial, MD; Miles Atkins, Mayor of Mooresville; John Green, COO; Lois Beckett, manager of the Iredell Women’s Health Center; Kim Holland, Director of Operations for the Iredell Physician Network; Harold Brown, Vice President of the Iredell Physician Network; Kim Atkins, Executive Director of the Mooresville Downtown Commission; and Beth Packard with Currents Magazine.