Healthy Connections ↘

YWCA Healthy Connections provides in depth knowledge, support, awareness, and mammograms through our Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Program.

Our Breast Cancer Awareness & Early Detection Program is a vital initiative that addresses women and men over the age of 40 who face challenges related to insurance coverage and access to healthcare. By offering comprehensive education and no-cost screening services for breast cancer, the program plays a crucial role in promoting early detection and ultimately saving lives. To date, this impactful program has empowered over 50,000 women through education and has facilitated clinical screenings for 12,500 women. By bridging the gap in mammography screenings, the initiative strives to prevent late-stage diagnoses and tragic outcomes. Through its multifaceted approach, including education, awareness campaigns, service coordination, and personalized case management, the program serves as a beacon of hope for women and men, helping them detect breast cancer at an early and treatable stage.

The YWCA–Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Program offers:

  • Mammogram Days to Provide No Cost & Low-Cost Mammograms to the Community

  • Outreach, breast health education, screening, and support for medically under-served and/or un-insured women

  • Links uninsured women aged 40-64 to various resources for annual low-cost Mammogram and Clinical Breast Exam screening

  • Transportation to breast health-related appointments, language translation, advocacy, and referral to community resources

  • Reminders for annual screenings

  • Incentive gifts to women who complete mammogram screenings

  • Provides one-to-one support to those with suspicious screening results, and for women diagnosed with breast cancer

  • YWCA Breast Cancer Support Group - meets bi-weekly to provide support and resources to women who have a cancer diagnosis or those in remission needing supportive services

We educate all recipients about the coverage of Annual Screening Mammography and assist them in obtaining other services needed. Healthy Connections Breast Cancer Awareness Program provides FREE breast health presentations illustrating American Cancer Society guidelines for Mammography and Self-Awareness (knowing what’s normal for them). Seek a medical provider on the importance of a Clinical Breast Exam.

  • Annual Health Fair

    This health fair held every August, is designed to provide our community with valuable resources, health screenings, and educational opportunities. Here, you’ll find vendors, raffles, giveaways, and a wealth of information. Whether you want to learn more about wellness, healthcare options, or support services, this is the perfect place to explore and connect!

  • Mammogram Days

    We provide mammograms to community members in need at low or no cost during our mammogram days, hosted quarterly. Mercy Mammography Van has collaborated with us to provide this service to our community. Check our events page for upcoming Mammogram Days! 

  • Breast Cancer Support Group

    Through shared experiences and valuable resources, we provide unwavering support to help you on your journey towards healing and empowerment. Whether you’re seeking emotional solace, practical guidance, or a space to connect with others who understand, our bi-weekly meetings offer a safe haven where you can find camaraderie and inspiration.

Breast Cancer Support Group ↘

Discover a community of strength and resilience by joining the YWCA’s Free Breast Cancer Support Group. We call our breast cancer survivors “Thrivers” because they are not only surviving breast cancer but thriving despite their diagnoses. Every other Wednesday, our group comes together to offer a nurturing environment for women navigating the complexities of a cancer diagnosis. Through shared experiences and valuable resources, we provide unwavering support to help you on your journey towards healing and empowerment. Whether you’re seeking emotional solace, practical guidance, or a space to connect with others who understand, our bi-weekly meetings offer a safe haven. Embrace the power of unity and join us in shaping a future filled with hope and camaraderie.

Join us at the Promedica Ebeid Center from 5-6:30pm every other Wednesday. For more information, reach out to Jill Heine at jheine@ywcanwo.org

Breast Cancer Awareness ↘

Breast Cancer Statistics

  • Breast cancer accounts for 12.5% of all new annual cancer cases worldwide, making it the most common cancer in the world. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among U.S. women.

  • There are currently more than 3.8 million women with a history of breast cancer in the United States. This includes women currently being treated and women who have finished treatment.

  • Breast cancer incidence rates in the United States began decreasing in 2000, after increasing for the previous two decades. They dropped by 7% from 2002 to 2003 alone, this is due to breast cancer research and awareness efforts.

  • The most significant risk factors for breast cancer are being a woman and getting older.

  • About 85% of breast cancers occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.

  • Black women are more likely to die from breast cancer than women of any other racial or ethnic group.

  • Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States for Black and Hispanic women.

  • Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, following lung cancer, for Asian and Pacific Islander women, American Indian and Alaska Native women, and white women.

This information is provided by Breastcancer.org

Always Consult your Doctor if you experience any of the following:

  • A lump or mass in the breast that feels different from the surrounding tissue

  • Change is the shape, size, or appearance of the breast

  • Discharge from the nipple

  • Breast rash

  • Changes in the skin over the breast, for example, dimpling

  • Breast pain

  • Inverted or pulling-in of the nipple

  • Scaling, peeling, or flaking skin over the breast, particularly the dark area around the nipple

  • Redness and/or pitting of the breast skin, resembling the skin of orange

POLLYBALL ↘

Pollyball Presented by Hylant:
All proceeds go directly to our YWCA Healthy Connections, Breast Cancer Awareness & Early Detection Program

Polly Hylant-Tracy lost her battle with cancer in 1990. Her husband, three daughters, and family wanted to remember her in a special way, and considered many options, including a memorial bench or planting trees at a Metropark, reflecting her love for the outdoors. As the family pondered, an idea was realized. Hosting a volleyball tournament in her honor, as the large family often played the sport in Polly’s backyard. Thus, “Pollyball” was born.

What began as a small fun and fund-raising event at the LaJolla beach volleyball courts formerly off Reynolds Road, attracting 20 teams who paid and played on behalf of the American Cancer Society, has grown into the huge event held every August at the beach volleyball courts at International Park.

Over the past 32 years, Pollyball has raised nearly $1.5 million dollars to support breast cancer detection and awareness programs, including ACS, the YWCA as well as MCO for cancer research, The Victory Center and Reeling and Healing Inc.

Proceeds from this event assist greatly in funding the Healthy Connections program of the YWCA. The YWCA of Northwest Ohio’s Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Program is a comprehensive education and breast cancer resource center.

Breast health education sessions are provided free of charge to various community agencies, shelters, apartment communities, senior centers, clinics, health fairs, and any other areas where underserved women congregate.

YWCA Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Program also provides connection to no-cost or low-cost mammography through several programs in the area, services to ensure follow-through with mammography include mailing reminder cards, telephone and written contacts, transportation to related appointments, and gift incentives sent to every woman who completes her mammogram.

YWCA Breast Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Program provides free intensive case management services to women with abnormal breast symptoms and/or breast cancer diagnosis, regardless of income or any other circumstances. Staff accompanies patients to medical appointments and home visit; provides transportation and linkage to psycho-social programs to address non-medical needs; provides support for the family, and ensures that the patient understands all medical information and treatment options given by healthcare providers.