Aug 23, 2007 5:13 pm US/Eastern
Cancer Program Helps Women Without Insurance
by Kellye Lynn
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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The Baltimore City Cancer Program helps women without health insurance get free mammograms. (File)
AP
A light of hope still flickers in Baltimore City for women without health insurance.
Healthwatch reporter Kellye Lynn shows us how a cancer program continues its mission after losing one of its most beloved patients.
The slogan for the Baltimore City Cancer Program is light of hope, reaching out to you, which is exactly what Cassandra Warthen was and did, until she took her last breath.
Her awareness came in October 2005. Cassandra Warthen knew she had a lump in her breast, but didn't know how to pay for the necessary screening. The mother and grandmother had no health insurance.
With her television tuned to
WJZ on a Manic Monday, Cassandra watched employees at the Baltimore City Cancer Program publicize their services, which include free mammograms for women without insurance.
Cassandra called the program, got the screening and learned she had breast cancer.
"She got both breasts removed and got radiation to both sides as well," said Dr. Majid Mohiuddin with the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Dr. Mohiuddin says Cassandra benefited from free screenings and treatment, but the hospital and cancer program got back what they gave.
"She became the spokesperson for our cancer center and university because she had this spirit of awareness. She went from someone who had no clue about anything to one of our supreme advocates," said Mohiuddin.
Cassandra advocated early detection and raised awareness among the uninsured.
"She wanted to impact others, sound her own trumpet and make sure the word got out to other women about the significance of getting a mammogram and getting it in a timely fashion," said Rhonda Boozer with the Baltimore City Cancer Program.
It's a message that spread vigorously during Cassandra's two year battle with cancer and in death continues to bring life.
Click here for more information about the Baltimore City Cancer Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
You can send a donation in Cassandra's honor to:
Baltimore City Cancer Program University of Maryland
4538 Edmondson Avenue
Baltimore, Md. 21229
Checks payable: Baltimore City Cancer Program
Click here for more information about the Komen Maryland Race For The Cure.
It will be held Oct. 14 in Hunt Valley.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Click here for more information about the Baltimore City Cancer Program at the University of Maryland Medical Center
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