CareSource Holds Drive-Through Breast Cancer Awareness Event

Early on an October morning, more than 200 people lined up in their cars at the Athens County Fairgrounds in Ohio for an event called Brake for Breakfast. The women’s health event was hosted by Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), CareSource and OhioHealth and offered a free to-go breakfast, a resource bag with information on women’s health screenings and OhioHealth’s Mobile Mammography unit providing on-site mammograms.

"CareSource is proud to partner with HAPCAP and OhioHealth to bring the Brake for Breakfast event to Athens," said Donna Gabbard, Director of Women and Children's Health, CareSource. "Increasing access to breast cancer screenings are one of the first steps of prevention and detection and by bringing the mammography mobile unit out, we hope to remove the barriers of scheduling and transportation to community members."

This event is facilitated by HAPCAP for Health, an initiative dedicated to improving health outcomes in Southeast Ohio. According to the American Cancer Society, there have been an estimated 10,000 new cases of breast cancer among Ohio women in 2021. Regular screenings are the most effective method of prevention, and attendees had the opportunity to schedule their appointments at the event.

“What an incredible event with so many great stories,” said Heather Rockhold, Radiology Manager at Ohio Health. “A survivor drove through just to say thank you because we had previously found her cancer. Other attendees shared they were overdue and have a family history but have been putting it off.”

“The enthusiasm and passion for rallying around the importance of early detection, education and prevention of breast cancer is something women truly support,” said Gabbard.