Who are Francine’s Friends?
Francine’s Friends is a group of local businesswomen and community leaders. Our mission is to make early detection of breast cancer available to every woman in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area. Our vision is to increase cancer screenings in northeast Indiana by providing a highly accessible and visible community resource.
We want to offer life-saving services to women in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area who might otherwise be unable to receive them because of financial or transportation issues.
Francine’s Friends raised the funds to purchase a mobile mammography coach for our community and continues to raise funds each year to help support the program’s operating budget.
We are in partnership with many other local organizations to battle breast cancer. Our effort addresses an identified need among the women in Allen County.
Who was Francine?
Francine’s Friends is named for Francine Schubert, the wife of a local physician, who died as a result of breast cancer. Francine Schubert’s untiring approach to life and living was an inspiration to all who knew her. Once Francine signed on to support a community event, there was never any doubt of its success. Francine’s devotion and commitment to the American Cancer Society and its goals and objectives were long-lasting and far-reaching. Her ability to cajole community leaders into emptying their pockets is legendary.
But Francine was so much more than that. She was devoted to her family and friends. It was always fun to share in Francine’s life. Her impish grin and wicked sense of humor made an otherwise ordinary day very special.
When cancer came, Francine used the same energy and resolve to battle her disease. Although Francine fought valiantly and never let cancer appear to have the upper hand, she lost her fight in
September 2002.
After our friend Francine Schubert lost her battle with breast cancer, several of us met to discover a way to honor Francine’s spirit and drive. Our goal was to establish a mobile mammography unit to serve every woman in Allen County and the surrounding area who might not otherwise receive a screening mammogram and follow-up care.
Our vision
Increase cancer screenings in northeast Indiana by providing a highly accessible and visible community resource.
Our mission
Make early detection of breast cancer available to every woman in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area.
Our purpose
Provide mobile mammography screening and follow-up services to every woman, including those who might otherwise not have access. Because early detection is the best protection, Francine's Friends is committed to improving early detection of breast cancer in women.
Our goals:
- To make early detection of breast cancer available to every woman in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area regardless of her ability to pay.
- To take mammography screening to areas where women have difficulty accessing healthcare.
- To increase the number of screening mammograms by being a highly accessible and visible community resource.
- To reduce breast cancer deaths through early detection.
What is a mammogram?
A mammogram is a detailed X-ray of the breast used as a screening tool to detect early breast cancer in women experiencing no symptoms. Mammography plays a major role in early detection of breast cancers because it can show changes in the breast up to two years before a patient or physician can detect an abnormality in the tissue.
Is screening mammography safe?
Screening mammography is a low-dose X-ray. Francine's Friends uses digital technology that keeps radiation exposure to a minimum while obtaining high-quality images of the breast tissue. The Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography coach is staffed by radiologic technologists who specialize in mammography.
What is the purpose of this program?
Francine’s Friends strives to save more lives and keep more women healthy. We promote early detection of breast cancer by making screening mammography more convenient and accessible to all women. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer ranks second among cancer deaths in women.
Death rates from breast cancer have steadily decreased in women since 1990. These decreases are due to a combination of earlier detection and improved treatment. Screening mammography saves lives. Lumps as small as the size of a pea can be detected by mammography. Breast cancers found at such an early stage have a 98 percent cure rate.
Can any woman have a mammogram through this program?
This program is for women who:
- Are age 35 and older and have not had a screening mammogram in the past 12 months
- Have no prior or current history of breast cancer or problems with their breasts
- Are insured or uninsured
The American Cancer Society recommends that annual screening begin at age 40.
How long does the procedure take?
The entire appointment takes about 15 minutes.
How will I know the results?
The X-ray images are processed at the Breast Diagnostic Center at FWRadiology. Board-certified breast-imaging radiologists from FWRadiology interpret the exams. The results will be reported to you and your physician. This is why it is very important that we have a correct address and phone number when you make your appointment.
How do I schedule an appointment on the mobile
mammography coach?
First, determine the community site that is most convenient for you by checking the schedule of dates and locations for the coach. Then call (260) 483-1847 to schedule your appointment in advance.
Who pays for the mammogram?
Screening mammograms are usually a covered benefit under most insurance carriers’ plans. For best coverage, please verify with your insurance carrier that the Breast Diagnostic Center is an in-network provider. For women who are uninsured or underinsured (have high deductibles), financial assistance programs are available through funds raised by Francine's Friends and Parkview Hospital Foundation’s Community Health Improvement Program.
Contributions
If you would like to make a contribution specific to Francine's Friends, please send it to:
Francine's Friends, c/o Fort Wayne Medical Society
709 Clay Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802