Fox Chase Cancer Center last week hosted a ribbon-cutting event, with sponsor West Pharmaceutical Services, to celebrate its new mobile screening unit truck.
One of Fox Chase’s longtime community partners, Congreso de Latinos Unidos, joined in the celebration, as did state Sen. Jimmy Dillon; Aizaz Gill, president of the Burholme Civic Association; and Sean Tobin, communications director for U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle.
Dillon, whose office hosted a mobile mammogram screening at his office on Oct. 29, described the screenings as “lifesaving.”
Dr. Robert Uzzo, president and CEO of Fox Chase, recognized local residents Bob and Tricia McCool, for raising more than $100,000 during the annual Volley for Life volleyball tournament.
Nonprofit organizations, churches, businesses and others can partner with Fox Chase to schedule visits from the mobile screening unit.
Surveys have shown that 47% of people screened by the mobile screening units would not have received mammograms otherwise.
Uninsured patients are welcome, and Fox Chase works with the patient to cover costs.
Fox Chase has been offering the mobile service since 1988.
Patients can be screened for cancers such as breast, skin, colorectal, oral, head and neck and cervical.
Patients can also receive vaccines and have blood drawn.
This year, Fox Chase has screened 71 people at Congreso and diagnosed and treated one with breast cancer. Others have been diagnosed over the years.
Uzzo said the unit seeks to identify tumors early to ease patient fear and give them a longer life span. He talked of the fear of uncertainty and the unknown.
“Cancer screening really saves lives,” he said.
Uzzo had high praise for West Pharmaceutical, which was awarded the prestigious Heart of Pharma Award from CPHI Global during an Oct. 8 ceremony in Milan, Italy for its partnership with Fox Chase, specifically its funding of the $900,000 mobile unit.
“It’s all about detection. Get it early,” said Eric Green, CEO of West Pharmaceutical, based in Exton, Chester County.
Kirstin Diepholz, Director of Primary Care Services at Congreso, 216 W. Somerset St., said the mobile units help reach people in the community who do not have access to transportation to make it to Fox Chase.
Congreso most recently welcomed the mobile truck on Oct. 30.
Uzzo said he hopes the new mobile screening unit plays a role in helping make cancer “a thing of the past.” ••
To learn more about the community screening program, call 215-728-3554.
