Grant Benefits Mercy Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
For more information contact: Mercy - Michael Burke, Interim Manager Marketing and Community Relations at 530-225-6113 Safeway - Esperanza Greenwood 925-467-2212
Mercy Foundation North Receives Safeway Grant to Benefit Area Services
REDDING, Calif. - -The Safeway Foundation has announced Mercy Foundation North (MFN) as the recipient of a $20,000 grant to benefit health services in Shasta and Siskiyou Counties.
In Shasta County, the funds will provide continued support of Mercy Regional Cancer Center’s Oncology Nurse Liaison (ONL). The ONL is responsible for organizing cancer screening clinics including the quarterly breast examination clinic, which provides screenings for 150 underserved women annually, the annual prostate screening clinic, which provides 200 low cost screenings in one evening and Quit for Good smoking cessation classes that are free of charge to the community.
Mercy Medical Center Redding’s (MMCR) Hospitality House will also be provided with new mattresses, sheets, shower curtains and other items to make the stay for patients and their families more comfortable. The Hospitality House serves Catholic Healthcare West’s North State Service Area providing temporary housing to patients and their families from outside the Redding area. Seventy percent of those who stay at the Hospitality House are seeking cancer treatment.
In Siskiyou County, the grant will support the Circles of Healing program, which is sponsored by Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta (MMCMS). Through this unique program, support groups and retreats are provided for those whose lives have been touched by cancer.
The grant will also support crucial health screenings conducted annually by MMCMS at the Siskiyou County Fair. In 2008, 150 people were screened for skin cancer at the fair. Twenty-five people were identified with probable cancers and presented with resources for follow-up examinations.
Breast Cancer is the largest women’s health issue of our time and the Safeway Foundation is determined to make a difference. During the month of October, Safeway’s Breast Cancer Research and Awareness campaign raised more than $18.6 million for breast cancer research and prevention programs.
The Safeway Foundation’s interest in cancer services provided by MMCR in Shasta and MMCMS in Siskiyou County is greatly appreciated and will benefit many.
Representatives from Safeway will present a check to MFN’s President Jeanine Bourgeois-Hedman on Friday, Jan. 30 at 10:30a.m. at the Hospitality House at 2755 Airpark Dr., Redding, CA 96001.
To learn more about Mercy Foundation North please follow this link.
