St. Mike’s hits $4 million goal for new breast care center

Metro Wire Staff

Ascension St. Michael’s Hospital has surpassed its goal of $4 million—in less than two years, thanks to community support.

More than 400 donors and benefactors supported the Hope is Building campaign through the Ascension St. Michael’s Foundation, according to a news release from Ascension.

“We cannot allow any mother, daughter, sister, or friend to forgo assessment or treatment because of an inability to pay,” said Debra Standridge, Regional President of Ascension Wisconsin.

Standridge said the new center would be “the epitome of our mission and values in action,” solidifying St. Michael’s as “a provider who listens to women, their needs and responds proactively.”

The Hope is Building Breast Care Center Campaign kicked off in May 2016, raising funds for a renovation and expansion at St. Michael’s Hospital to include the new breast health care center. The center will offer over 7,000 square feet of dedicated space for screening, treatment and recovery, and life beyond cancer.

State-of-the-art equipment is planned for the space, including 3-D mammography/tomosynthesis, stereotactic biopsy capabilities, ultrasound and ultrasound guided biopsy capabilities with radiologists onsite for real-time diagnostic evaluation.

An onsite boutique will be staffed by licensed and certified nurse navigators who can help fit prosthetics, bras, and wigs.

Part of the dollars raised during the campaign will support the Angel Fund, which provides funding for women who are unable to afford their mammograms. An 30 percent of women over the age of 40 inside Portage Co. do not get annual screenings due to affordability, the release said.

The center is scheduled to open in sometime this fall.