PHOENIX (Nov. 1, 2024) – Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center and The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation (TLFF) have entered a year-long agreement aimed at ensuring that everyone in the Phoenix area in need of a mammogram has easy access to get one on The BIG Pink Bus, a 3D mobile mammography unit that just hit the road this year.
Banner MD Anderson has joined TLFF’s Breast Believe Campaign, which educates communities about early detection, prevention, symptoms, and access surrounding a breast cancer diagnosis. With this agreement, Banner MD Anderson will ensure The BIG Pink Bus is present at several events over the next year to help the Arizona population stay up to date on their breast health. A team of Banner MD Anderson radiologists will provide follow-up care, if needed. In addition, the Banner MD Anderson team will provide educational material on breast health for those passing by.
“Teaming up with The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation is a natural next step in our vision for The BIG Pink Bus – and the impact we know it can make on thousands of people in Arizona,” said Dr. Phillip Koo, Banner MD Anderson diagnostic imaging division chief. “And Breast Believe directly aligns with what we want to achieve -- ensuring everyone is knowledgeable about their breast health and have equitable access to screenings. We are grateful to Larry and his team for bringing us on, and we look forward to driving change together.”
The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation and the Breast Believe Campaign, rooted in the understanding that access to organizations providing support, financial assistance, and breast health advocacy is paramount, has agreed to partner and bring Banner MD Anderson’s BIG Pink Bus to communities, organizations, health fairs and other events across the state.
“I’m extremely proud to join forces with Banner MD Anderson’s BIG Pink Bus to provide mammograms and essential breast health resources to communities alongside our Breast Believe partners,” said Larry Fitzgerald Jr., founder of The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation. “This collaboration will further assist in our mission to remove barriers to access and provide equity when it comes to breast health.”
Nationally, 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Meanwhile, reports repeatedly show that Black and Latina women are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer at an advanced stage. Cases are also rising in younger women, making early detection and education more important.
TLFF executive director Danielle Frost said, “Awareness empowers change, and this Breast Believe partnership with The BIG Pink Bus will allow everyone in the Valley the opportunity to navigate their own self advocacy with mammograms being one of the options available when it comes to chest and breast screenings. As Breast Believe enters its two-year anniversary, we look forward to working with the remarkable Banner MD Anderson and Banner Health Foundation teams.”
The first event with TLFF for the The BIG Pink Bus will be at the Avondale Resource Center, 995 E. Riley Drive, on Nov. 7.
“The BIG Pink Bus truly has the power to be lifechanging,” said Myeisha Andrews, clinical administrative director at Banner MD Anderson. “And thanks to the groundwork laid over the last two decades by The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, we have a unique opportunity to extend our reach and bring this life-changing screening to anyone who wants or needs a better understanding about their breast health. I look forward to working together to achieve this incredibly important goal.”
About Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center
Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center delivers cancer care to patients through the partnership of Banner Health and MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner MD Anderson offers focused disease-specific expertise in the medical, radiation and surgical management of the cancer patient; an evidence-based, multidisciplinary approach to patient care; access to clinical trials and new investigative therapies; state-of-the-art technology for the diagnosis, staging and treatment of all types of cancer; oncology expertise in supportive care services. For more information, visit www.BannerMDAnderson.com.
About Banner Health
Banner Health is one of the largest, secular nonprofit health care systems in the country. In addition to 33 hospitals, Banner also operates an academic medicine division, Banner – University Medicine, and Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center, a partnership with one of the world’s leading cancer programs, MD Anderson Cancer Center. Banner’s array of services includes a health insurance division, employed physician groups, outpatient surgery centers, urgent care locations, home care and hospice services, retail pharmacies, stand-alone imaging centers, physical therapy and rehabilitation, behavioral health services, a research division and a nursing registry. To make health care easier, 100% of Banner-employed doctors are available for virtual visits and patients may also reserve spots at Banner Urgent Care locations and can book appointments online with many Banner-employed doctors. Headquartered in Arizona, Banner Health also has locations in California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada and Wyoming. For more information, visit bannerhealth.com.
About The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation
For nearly two decades, The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation has worked to provide equitable access and new pathways for success for underrepresented communities, both nationally and internationally. Providing children with the tools they need to feel confident and supporting women and men affected by breast cancer has become deeply rooted in its mission. When he established the Foundation in 2005, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. envisioned the work of the Foundation to be a pillar of his existence after losing his mother to breast cancer in 2003. Larry’s mother, Carol, was known for her community service and advocacy work, having served as a founding member of the African American Breast Cancer Alliance. She was instrumental in his life and in the lives of those impacted by breast cancer. Larry is passionate about continuing his mother’s legacy of supporting breast cancer survivors and their families. The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation supports organizations and nonprofits doing this remarkable work. For more information, visit TheLarryFitzgeraldFoundation.org.
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