The Foundation will once again be able to provide mammogram vouchers to uninsured or underinsured women in La Porte and Starke Counties who do not have the resources to pay for these services. The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) awarded an $18,000 grant for 2017 to continue The Foundation Breast Cancer Project.
The Foundation Breast Cancer Project is an established comprehensive effort to encourage and educate women about breast health and the importance of early detection since 2005. This project provides screening mammograms and diagnostic mammography services to uninsured women who meet ACS High Risk criteria or are forty years of age and older. To see if they qualify for a voucher for a free mammogram, women should contact their La Porte or Starke County physician’s office and mention the mammogram voucher program.
The mission of IBCAT is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening and diagnosis throughout Indiana. IBCAT funds their grants through the sale of the state’s breast cancer awareness license plates. Since the plate was first made available in 2002, the program has provided nearly $4 million in grants for breast cancer screening programs to help tens of thousands of underserved Hoosier women receive the services they need. IBCAT has provided funding of over $183,000 to the Breast Cancer Project since 2005
All Indiana residents may purchase an Indiana breast cancer awareness license plate by visiting their local Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch or the BMV website at in.gov/bmv. Of the $40 specialty plate fee, $25 is a direct tax-deductible donation to IBCAT. The plate can be purchased for use on trucks and recreational vehicles up to 11,000 pounds, passenger cars and motorcycles.
The Indiana breast cancer awareness license plate was the idea of late Nancy Jaynes, a Plymouth High School family and consumer sciences teacher. Nancy lost her battle with breast cancer in 2008. Her vision for the license plate to be a traveling billboard and reminder about the importance of early detection and prevention of breast cancer carries on and continues to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Hoosier women.
The Foundation is proud to continue partnerships with IBCAT, the Michigan City Women’s Bowling Association, The La Porte City Fire Departments, Local 360 and other community partners for the Breast Cancer Project.