Family Contributions to Women’s Diagnostic Center of Community Hospital Help Women Get Breast Cancer Care

Family Contributions to Women’s Diagnostic Center of Community Hospital Help Women Get Breast Cancer Care

Board Certified Plastic surgeon David Robinson, MD, and his family have donated $2,600 to the Women’s Diagnostic Center of Community Hospital. Their contributions to the Breast Cancer Awareness Fund will help local women – those without insurance and who otherwise couldn’t afford them - receive diagnostic mammograms.

The donation is in memory of Dr. Robinson’s mother Virginia, who died in June after surviving a 28-year battle with breast cancer. Virginia Robinson was very involved in the programs and services at Community Hospital as the wife of Edward P. Robinson, hospital administrator from 1967 to 2003. Virginia served as the guest of honor at the very first Lights of Life tree lighting ceremony. Proceeds from the “lights” program help to support the non-profit Community Cancer Research Foundation, working to bring today’s advances in cancer research to area residents.

Breast cancer is a disease that can be diagnosed through routine mammography. The Women’s Diagnostic Center of Community Hospital offers digital mammography with same day results. With advances such as same-day results and coordination between area physicians, women can generally begin treatment for breast cancer within 10 days of diagnosis.

“We’re working to help women believe the truth that early detected breast cancers can be treated successfully,” said Mary Nicholson, MD, medical director of the women’s center in Munster. “We strive to ease our patients’ minds, alleviate their stress and fear, and replace it with confidence in care that’s close to home. This funding will enable us to serve many more with the care they need,” she said.

Family-Contributions-to-Womens-Diagnostic-Center-of-Community-Hospital-Help-Women-Get-Breast-Cancer-Care-02In 2012, Illiana Heating & Cooling owners Tom and Sue Krygsheld started a special fund after holding a community fundraiser in honor of their employee Shelley DeYoung. Since then, the Krygshelds have continued with the annual event in October, Breast Cancer Awareness month, pledging a portion of the proceeds from their services to the fund to help other women get the preventive care they need.

Additional contributions, including the Virginia Robinson memorial, will go toward the fund started by Illiana Heating & Cooling which also has been supplemented with donations by both Dr. Robinson and the Community Hospital Medical Staff.

“During this past year, we have been able to utilize these funds for four patients, and one of these patients was diagnosed with a stage 0 breast cancer,” explained Suzanne Ruiz, RN, MS, NP-C, certified breast health navigator. “The funding covered her diagnostic imaging, radiologist interpretation fees, biopsy fees and pathology fees. After diagnosis, we assisted her with obtaining insurance which was available to her with a cancer diagnosis and she underwent breast conserving treatment.”

Learn more about the Women’s Diagnostic Center and advances in women’s care at www.comhs.org.