Women began arriving early Thursday morning at Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex for free mammograms offered by the City of Miami Gardens ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.<\/p>\n
The “mammovan” saw a steady stream of women throughout the morning. Organizers began taking patients even before the scheduled start time.<\/p>\n
“I came here because they’re doing mammograms and I think it’s important that all women get their mammograms every year,” Khalilah Henderson said.<\/p>\n
Katina Wilcher also took advantage of the free screening. “It’s very important to get the testing to make sure there’s nothing going on,” Wilcher said.<\/p>\n
Others learned about the event Thursday morning. Delores Coachman said her husband saw CBS Miami’s coverage and encouraged her to go.<\/p>\n
“My husband was watching television and insisted that I come up here and have a mammogram done,” Coachman said.<\/p>\n
Belinda Martinez, who works with MammoLink, which owns the bus and performs some of the exams, said events offering free mammograms help address a need in the community.<\/p>\n
“The need is immense and people don’t realize it,” Martinez said. “What the City of Miami Gardens is doing for its constituents is amazing.”<\/p>\n
The event is sponsored by Miami Gardens Councilwoman Dr. Michelle Powell, who is also a physician and breast cancer survivor.<\/p>\n
Powell said getting a mammogram is only one part of protecting your health. She urged women who receive recommendations for additional testing to not put off the follow-up care.<\/p>\n
“I’m concerned about the follow-up care where many women do feel a lump, they do get their mammogram and then they’re told we do need to get an ultrasound or diagnostic,” Powell said. “Please do not ignore that indication. Go get the follow-up.”<\/p>\n
By late Thursday morning, organizers were no longer accepting walk-ins because of the demand.<\/p>\n
Women who missed Thursday’s event will have another opportunity. The “mammovan” is scheduled to return to Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex on October 1 and offer mammograms throughout the day. Breast Cancer Awareness Month also begins on October 1.<\/p>\n
To register for the October 1st free mammogram event, you can click here<\/a> to make an appointment and scroll down until you see the October 1st Miami Gardens event.<\/p>\n