Supporting breast cancer local fighters

For breast cancer patients, detection and diagnosis can be the start to a long, expensive battle. Even for many who pass the 5-year survival mark, their fight is still far from over. According to a study published in May 2019, nearly half of people diagnosed with cancer face financial hardship because of their diagnosis. The costs of breast cancer treatment and follow-up care can be a financial strain for a number of people and their families, even with health insurance.

Last year, the Sanford Underground Research Facility (Sanford Lab) community raised over $1,100 dollars for Foundation for Health (Foundation), a Lead-Deadwood organization that supports local breast cancer patients, specifically focusing on bridging financial needs. This year, Sanford Lab is doubling their fundraising goal.

“As part of our breast cancer awareness month activities, we’re working to raise $2,500 for the local Foundation for Health,” said Mike Headley, executive director of Sanford Lab. “The Foundation is a wonderful organization that helps many people struggling with breast cancer in the Northern Hills, and we are proud to support them with this fundraiser.”

The Foundation for Health has been providing opportunities to the community with health, safety and personal needs for more than 32 years. The Foundation also runs the “Tough Enough to Wear Pink” campaign during the Days of ’76 Rodeo as a way to increase support for breast cancer patients in the area. 

“We call it our ‘pink bubble,’” said Laurie Wince, director of the Foundation. “All funds raised in the name of breast cancer go directly to helping those patients specifically.”

The Foundation’s pink bubble bridges daily living costs for breast cancer patients that aren’t addressed by medical insurance. These include transportation to and from treatments, travel and lodging for the patient and their families, and lymphedema compression sleeves. Funds are also used for nutrition, pre- and post-testing and education.

“I’ve heard of women who have deferred their chemo treatments in order to feed their children,” said Wince. “We can’t let that happen.”

The Foundation also provided funds to the Regional Health Lead-Deadwood Hospital to redo a section of flooring in order to stabilize the mammogram machine. 

“One thing I want to emphasize is that the funds from this campaign stay local,” said Wince. Patients eligible for these funds live primarily in Lead and Deadwood, with a few in the greater Northern Hills. 

The Foundation for Health is a nonprofit charitable 501c (3) based in Lead-Deadwood, S.D. The Foundation is supported by many volunteers, donors and a volunteer Board of Directors. The Foundation also provides for multiple wellness initiatives in the area. These include funds to help the hospital purchase an ambulance; helmets for kids participating in ski programs; flu shots for non-profit children’s care organizations; and wheelchairs for business to offer to their patrons. 

To learn more about Foundation for Health, visit their website.