San Jose Clinic's Milagros de Miercoles is Saving Lives Pink Ribbons Project Funds Mammogram screenings for Underserved Women at Clinic

HOUSTON, TX, April 13, 2012

Women in Houston's underserved community have an opportunity twice each month to receive a free mammogram screening at San Jose Clinic. For 90 years, San Jose Clinic has been serving the Houston community by offering medical services to those with the greatest need. Most recently, the Clinic was able to add the screenings to its list of offerings thanks to the generosity of Pink Ribbons Project, who recognized the need within the San Jose Clinic community. Called Milagros de Miercoles, San Jose Clinic now offers 40 women each month a life-saving mammogram screening and the program already is seeing tremendous results.

"The majority of patients served by the Clinic are women and we were seeing that they were just not receiving the screenings they greatly needed due to language barriers, transportation and other reasons," said Paule Anne Lewis, San Jose Clinic Executive Director. "By bringing this service to these women twice each month, we feel a barrier has been broken. Women are in charge of their families, the caregivers sometimes for multiple generations. When they come to San Jose Clinic, it's a special day for them and, for a moment, they are the ones being cared for by our volunteer staff."

San Jose Clinic's no show rate for mammograms is under five percent, which is remarkable and one of the many reasons that Pink Ribbons Project chose to double the number of screenings offered in 2012. The money donated is going to good use. When there is a cancellation, the staff is able to quickly fill the spot with another appropriate candidate. The day is made special for these women, so they actually look forward to their screening. They receive a pink rose, food and are provided counsel on a multitude of health issues. It is a day that they are not likely to miss and in turn can help save their life if breast cancer is detected early through the mammogram.

"There is such a great need for breast health services in the Houston community, yet a limited amount of funding to meet this need," said Loubel Cruz Galik, Executive Director of Pink Ribbons Project. "Pink Ribbons Project carefully reviews these needs, along with special requests, and selects organizations who are meeting these needs in a successful way. Since there is not yet a cure, early detection of breast cancer greatly increases one's chance of beating the disease. We are committed to reaching out to those with the greatest need to help save lives."

San Jose Clinic's clients truly appreciate the services offered.
"It is good that there are these types of exams in this clinic because it helps all of us who do not have enough resources, and gives us the opportunity to prevent breast cancer. Thank you for helping us, and thanks to the San Jose Clinic," said Maria A. Bonatello, San Jose Clinic client.

"I have been a patient of San Jose Clinic for four years and am very grateful for all the services that have been extended to me. They have been taking care of me so that I can take care of my family - I'm a single parent to two boys," said Frances Mask, San Jose Clinic client.

"Thanks to these angels for giving us the opportunity of having these exams for people like me, with a lack of resources, in order to prevent breast cancer. It is a great relief to have been chosen for this exam. God bless you for all your work," said Maria Lorena Rodriguez, San Jose Clinic client.

This is a huge milestone year for San Jose Clinic, which started in 1922 by caring for children within the Houston community during a time in which there was a high infant mortality rate. The depression made things worse and obviously brought a tremendous amount of poverty to the area. Their big push was offering immunizations and to help keep kids healthy. They soon recognized that they also needed to keep the moms healthy as well. Therefore the services offered over the years would change and evolve with the growing needs of the community. The Clinic is celebrating its 90th anniversary at this year's Art with Heart fundraising dinner and art auction on Saturday, May 5, 2012. For information on scheduling a screening or more information regarding San Jose Clinic, please call: 713-228-9411 or visit: http://www.sanjoseclinic.org.

Thousands of women who would not otherwise receive mammograms get them because Pink Ribbons Project supports Houston area clinics and mobile mammography units. Monies raised puts mobile mammography units in motion, taking exam and screening opportunities to women out in the communities where they live and work. Pink Ribbons Project uses the arts in everything it does because it reaches people at the level of personal vulnerability and moves them to action in a way that other approaches may not. For more information, please visit: http://www.pinkribbons.org or call 713.524.PINK (7465).

Pink Ribbons Project Takes Its First Step
Pink Ribbons Project was created in 1995, when Jane Weiner, a professional dancer in New York City, learned that her sister in Houston, Susan Rafte, had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Jane joined with friends and fellow dancers David Parker, Sara Hook and Robin Staff to found Pink Ribbons Project, in motion against breast cancer . Together they produced a fundraiser in New York City to raise money to send breast cancer survivors to testify in Congressional hearings in Washington D.C. That testimony helped convince the FDA to approve three new cancer-fighting drugs. One of those drugs was Taxotere - a drug Susan would take the next year, allowing her to improve enough to receive a stem cell transplant in 1997. Today, Susan is a 15-year cancer survivor and is the Founder Survivor of Pink Ribbons Project and still working with Jane, the Artistic Director, to educate women about breast cancer through the medium of dance and art. Monies raised fund breast cancer education, screening, advocacy and outreach.

Pink Ribbons Project Still Moving Today
Pink Ribbons Project uses the arts in everything they do because it reaches people at the level of personal vulnerability and moves them to action in a way that other approaches may not. Pink Ribbons Project helps those touched by breast cancer through education, awareness and outreach programs. The organization helps underserved women receive breast cancer screenings and follow-up care through services at clinics and mobile mammography units throughout the Greater Houston area. For more information about Pink Ribbons Project's many programs, call: 713.524.PINK (7465) or visit: http://www.pinkribbons.org.

San Jose Clinic
San Jose Clinic, the original safety-net clinic in Houston, has steadfastly grown into a leading provider of quality healthcare services for individuals and families in the Greater Houston area who struggle the most with accessing care. The Clinic began with the vision of Monsignor Walsh, a donation of $50 from the Charity Guild of Catholic Women and volunteers from the community, who all came together with the same hope of breaking down barriers to healthcare for the underserved. Ninety years later, we proudly uphold the legacy of our founders by continuing to provide healthcare, including primary and specialty medical and dental care as well as vision, laboratory and pharmacy services, for those who need a health home the most. San Jose Clinic serves over 20 counties across Southeast Texas. In line with the Clinic's mission, individuals of all ages, denominations, race, ethnicity and gender who are uninsured and whose income is below 250% of Federal Poverty Level are accepted for care.