The IBN Sina Medical Clinic is partnering with The Rose, a non-profit breast cancer organization, for a Mobile Mammography Day on Friday in Port Arthur.

Residents eligible for a mobile mammography screening include women 40 years of age or older, those under the 200 percent poverty level, have no health insurance, did not have a mammogram in the last 12 months or have a doctor’s order.

The mammography unit will be available Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at 8455 9^th Ave. To schedule an appointment, call 409-724-7462.

The Rose, located in Houston, started in 1986 as an acclaimed model of breast health care from mammograms to biopsies and treatment. According to their website, the organization has served nearly 500,000 patients and is the leading nonprofit breast health care organization in Southeast Texas.

Ashley Small, spokesperson for The Rose, said the main mission is to provide health care regardless of obstacles.

“The Rose helps provide access to quality breast health care regardless of the ability to pay through the sponsored mammogram program,” she said. “The mobile mammography unit is a key tool that we use to help women across our 40 counties. The women in rural communities often lack the care they need, so through our mobile fleets we are able to meet our customers wherever they are.”

The Mobile Mammography unit travels all over Southeast Texas bringing services to women who are barricaded for having no time off work, can’t travel long distances or have limited finances.

“We have two onsite locations, which are great for Houston but so many women were unable to get help and screenings outside of the city,” Small said. “We wanted to reach women all over the state of Texas and eliminate those location barriers. The mobile unit has been apart of The Rose program for many years now, but we have continued to upgrade them throughout the years.”

Mobile Mammography services include a 3D mammogram offering early detection as well as advice and discussion from personal aides.

“We have an organized system for women to come in, check in and have patient navigators that work closely to help them get treatment,” Small said. “They provide a personal aide, someone who can help each individual navigate this new and kind of scary place. If they are tested and have been diagnosed with breast cancer, then we move them onsite and we handle each situation with care.”

In 2018, 9,633 patients were served through the Mobile Mammography unit, reaching patients in 52 counties.

“We definitely are proud that we are able to serve women regardless of location, pay or access,” Small said. “We are proud that we increase lives because of the care we provide. We pride ourselves in keeping the appointments quick and efficient, lasting no more than 15 minutes. We try to be mindful of our patients’ time and we work with our partners and hosts to create a comfortable waiting area when possible.”

Small said they have future plans to raise money and introduce another mobile unit in 2020.

“We are looking for women that really need the help,” Small said. “We know that if we can detect any signs of cancer early on, than we have a greater chance to save someone’s life. Our goal is to save women’s lives, and early detection is the best way.”

The Rose CEO Dorothy Gibbons said they she is pleased to have the opportunity to serve women in the Golden Triangle in partnership with IBN Sina in Port Arthur.

For more information, visit therose.org or the event page, Mobile Mammography Day in Port Arthur Texas on Facebook.