DATE: March 7, 2022—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: Lezlie Burkley, Foundation Director
Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center Foundation
1000 Rush Drive Salida, CO 81201
Email: lezlie.burkley@hrrmc.net Tel.: (719) 530-2218
HRRMC Foundation, Women’s Wellness Connection present breast cancer awareness art exhibit
The exhibit is on display locally in celebration of International Women’s Day
SALIDA, Colo.— The Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) Foundation and the Women’s Wellness Connection (WWC) program have curated an art exhibit for breast and cervical cancer awareness, on display now through Sunday, March 13 at the Salida Regional Library, located at 405 E Street.
The exhibit features three local women who underwent lifesaving procedures after abnormal cells were detected through their preventative health screenings. These women openly shared their stories to advocate not just for themselves, but for community members to recognize the importance of cancer prevention and early detection.
The WWC program is grant-funded by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and works to promote equity and inclusion within the healthcare system—the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day on Tuesday, March 8. The Women’s Wellness Connection offers free cervical cancer screenings/PAP tests and breast cancer screenings/mammograms to qualifying women. Eligible participants are women between the ages of 21-64, who are living within a specific income level and are uninsured or underinsured. Funding is available for women living in Chaffee, Lake, western Fremont, Park and Saguache counties.
“The Women’s Wellness Connection program creates awareness and access to preventative health and cancer screenings,” explained Melanie Critelli, WWC Community Health Worker. “Our service region is geographically isolated, which can create barriers to women accessing annual care. Insurance coverage and cost can create additional obstacles. Our program works to support women financially and emotionally to access these critical appointments.”
For general information about the WWC program, visit HRRMC.com/WWC. For questions about the enrollment process, or to talk with someone directly about the program, contact WWC Community Health Worker Melanie Critelli at melanie.critelli@hrrmc.net or (719) 530-1065.
###
