With recent visits, Gerber Memorial mobile mammo delivers critical screenings to patients in underserved areas Fremont-Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s recent outreach with a mobile mammogram vehicle is connecting patients in underserved areas with critical screenings for breast cancer. On Friday, a daylong mobile mammogram event in White Cloud drew 10 women to the parking lot of Sally’s Restaurant on North Charles Street. A service of Spectrum Health Betty Ford Breast Care Services, the mobile unit was parked from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and staffed by Kelly Butler, mammography tech, and Margaret Jackson, patient registration specialist. Two months earlier, seven women were screened when the mobile unit – a pink and white vehicle the size of a large bus – visited Croton Township on May 5. Next stop this fall for the Grand Rapids-based unit: Holton. The numbers in Croton Township and White Cloud are striking: The unit has the capacity to screen only around 12 patients on a full day and typically sees no more than a handful of people. The unit’s main goal is to deliver a critical service to people in traditionally hard-to-reach, underserved areas of the state with limited access and resources. “Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is pleased that we can bring the mobile mammogram vehicle twice to Newaygo County so far this year and that on both occasions, it has been well-received and utilized by patients in our community,” said Brian McClain, Gerber Memorial director of clinical and ambulatory services. “Screenings are critical to reducing cases of breast cancer, which can be treated when detected early enough, so that’s why getting our mobile unit to areas where women may face challenges getting to our hospital in Fremont is essential. Our effort was a true partnership with the local community, and we are grateful that many people stepped up to get the word out so their neighbors knew about the opportunity to get screened without travelling far from their homes.” Gerber Memorial is planning to bring the mobile mammogram vehicle to Holton in October, with details being finalized. Because the mobile unit can take a limited number of patients, women were asked to make an appointment to reserve a spot, by calling 616.774.7998, option 1. Walk-ins were accepted if space is available: In White Cloud, two walk-ins were among the 10 patients screened. Women who schedule appointments were asked to bring insurance information. Free mammograms are being made available for uninsured or under-insured women. For women who want to see if they qualify, they are asked to call 616.486.6050. Breast cancer will affect one in eight women during her lifetime, according to the American Cancer Society. When detected early, breast cancer can be treated and cured. The American Cancer Society recommends women 40 years and older have a mammogram once a year.
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By Charles Chandler, N3 Special Correspondent for White Cloud and Beyond About 7:30 AM last Thursday N3 found Pat and Orrie Ebenstein at City Hall doing what they have always done, serving their community to the best of their ability. Orrie was attending the monthly Parks and Recreation committee meeting and Pat was there to swear in for another term on the White Cloud Community Library board. Orrie and Pat are beloved to all that know them and are living examples of altruistic service. They have committed a large part of their lives and resources in the services of others. Orrie is a member of Rotary, has served on various City boards and committees and with his favorites the Boy Scouts of America. Pat has served for about 60 years with the area Blood Bank, about 50 years with the United Way and about 40 years on the White Cloud Community Library Board. This is a very important time for the Community Library because there is a millage campaign underway to raise money to build a new Library. For those that use the Community Library the reason for the campaign is obvious, the building no longer works. The Library has been in its current building, which previously had been a funeral parlor, for about 40 years. It is outdated and with every possible inch of the building being used it can no longer adequately serve the high volume of people that visit the Library every day and every minute that it is open. After the swearing in the N3 Correspondent asked Pat and Orrie to sit with us for a few minutes and talk about the Library and tell us why it is so important that we build a new Community Library. According to Pat, “I believe a Library is an important and integral part of a community and we need more room to provide the necessary resources and services to our patrons. “About 60 years ago a group of us started a library here in White Cloud. We were located downtown in a store front in the Moore building then moved to the Bill Brant Building and eventually outgrew that space. Then about 40 years ago we moved from the Brant Building to where we are now at 1038 E. Wilcox Ave. The day that we moved all the members of the Community that were big enough to hold a book turned out and we formed a line up Main Street and we passed all the books from person to person until we had them all moved. “Now we have outgrown this location and our ability to serve our patrons and Community. Many of our area children come to the Library after school and use our computers and other resources to do their homework. Many don’t have computers at home or need a safe place to wait to be picked up. These kids need their own space to watch their movies and do their programs and activities. “Many of our seniors don’t have computers either and come to the Library for those services or for users like us that want to hold and read from a paper book and not a computer. It is also a place where many can pick up a book and travel anywhere in the world, either because they don’t have the means to do so or because they are no longer physically able. A library is much more than just books it has a social connection and demonstrates pride and commitment to the community. A Library is like a good friend, one that is always there for you.” Yep, Pat. Kind of reminds me of you and Orrie. Some quick facts about the White Cloud Community Library. In 2016, 70,000 items were circulated, 5,721 people used the computers, 2,000 items were borrowed from other libraries for patrons, 3,550 items were loaned to other libraries, and 389 children attended programs developed especially for them. During each visit to the Library a patron checks out four items with an average total value of about $80.00 and at no cost themselves. The Library Millage Vote is Tuesday, August 8, 2017 and “the cost of .9 mill to the average White Cloud School District homeowner will be about $35.00 a year or less than $1.00 a week.” Many feel that it is time to stop kicking this old can down the street. Our Community, our children, our seniors and especially people like Pat and Orrie need and deserve a great library. 'Oak Arch' to anchor 'The Darling Walkway' The City of Fremont works to enrich the lives of the City’s residents and visitors. The City's current project, "The Darling Walkway", will add to the visually appealing downtown with integration of green space, community gathering areas and public art of many kinds and at many levels. "The Darling Walkway", will be an engaging space adjoining the Gateway Apartments located in the historic former Fremont High School, Fremont Community Recreation Authority, Fremont Area District Library, and just steps away from the pedestrian friendly downtown that offers shops and restaurants in a small town setting. This new communal gathering area will be anchored by a public art sculpture, "Oak Arch", designed by artist Joe Krajkiewcz. The sculpture will be leaf shape in an arch form that becomes a canopy that continues to ground level and provides functional bench seating and interaction for the public. A fundraising campaign for the "Oak Arch" is being initiated by the City of Fremont and the Downtown Development Authority's Public Art Committee. Community contributions for the project will receive matching dollars from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) through their program "Patronicity", a civic crowdfunding and crowdgranting platform. The fundraising campaign has a goal of $30,000 and funds raised through this effort will create "Oak Arch", a large public art sculpture of an oak leaf that will be the defining anchor and connection to the new public green-space in downtown Fremont, The Darling Walkway; a meandering accessible concrete pathway for all to use; and lighting and landscaping to complement the sculpture. The City of Fremont encourages the community to support the continued beautification of the town and "give a gift that 'leafs' an impression"! Visit the Public Art Committee booth at the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Arts and Crafts Fair on July 15 in Veteran's Memorial Park or go to Patronicity to make your contribution today! For more information on The Darling Walkway and the fundraising campaign for "Oak Arch", stop by City of Fremont, 101 East Main Street, downtown Fremont or call 231.924.2101. |
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