Finger Lakes Health Foundation uses $20K grant for mammography equipment at Penn Yan hospital

PENN YAN, N.Y. — The Finger Lakes Health Foundation used a grant of $20,000 to help pay for 3D mammography equipment at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital in Penn Yan.

The Davenport-Hatch Foundation, Inc. of Rochester awarded the money, the Geneva–based Finger Lakes Health Foundation said in a news release.

The 3D mammography equipment will improve the early detection of breast cancer, and early detection “saves lives,” the nonprofit said.

The technology will allow physicians to treat patients of all breast densities who are at risk for breast disease, while reducing procedure time, minimizing costs, and improving patient comfort.

Soldiers & Sailors Hospital on Oct. 30 held an event to acknowledge the installation of the new equipment, which was the result of the “generosity” of the Davenport-Hatch Foundation and several other lead donors.

“It is estimated that more than 7,000 women who meet the guidelines for breast screening in Yates County are not accessing screening services,” Lara Chatel Turbide, VP of community services at Finger Lakes Health and executive director of the Finger Lakes Health Foundation, said.. “As mammography is the best tool in early detection, we are seeking to promote the availability of local 3D mammography services.”

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com