Dozens of women dressed in pink waited at Homestead City Hall for their chance to receive a free mammogram thanks to the City of Homestead and Florida International University’s Linda Fenner 3D Mobile Mammography Center. Homestead Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough spearheaded the partnership as a way to increase access to preventative healthcare for women in South Dade.
“I’ve always known that early detection is key in the fight against breast cancer,” said Councilwoman Fairclough. “But it was my mother’s diagnosis with breast cancer that really brought the fight home for me. Her struggle inspired me to help as many women as possible access the vital health services that can save a life.”
The Mobile Mammography Center, commonly referred to as the “Mammovan,” provides free mammograms and health screenings to uninsured or underinsured women over the age of 40 who have no symptoms of breast cancer and no known family history of the disease. The screenings take about 20 to 30 minutes, and patients get the results back in a week. The program pays for anyone with an abnormal result to undergo further testing at a hospital.
The FIU Mammovan’s first stop at Homestead City Hall was over two years ago when Councilwoman Fairclough hosted a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event where City Hall was lighted up in pink in solidarity with breast cancer survivors and victims. Thanks to an overwhelming demand for the Mammovan’s services and the dedicated advocacy of Councilwoman Fairclough, it will return to Homestead City Hall every three months. Anyone interested in the services can contact 305-FIU-PINK or visit www.mammography.fiu.edu.