Walker's Point clinic gets $50K grant from NFL, Am. Cancer Soc.

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Aurora Walker's Point Community Health Center in Milwaukee has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the American Cancer Society and the NFL's "A Cruicial Catch" initiative. The money will be used to strengthen efforts to increase breast cancer screening rates in Milwaukee.

Clinic manager Steve Ohly explains, the money is not for the mammograms themselves, but for the testing support services which will put patients in position to protect themselves.

"Screening makes the biggest difference, and what this funding allows us to do is to make sure women who need screening get it. And that's, in essence, saving some women's lives," said Ohly.

Milwaukee was one of 23 cities within 100 miles of an NFL team selected for grant funding based on breast cancer screening and mortality rates.

Walker’s Point Community Health Center plans to reach over 650 women with breast cancer education and over 400 women with screening reminders to increase awareness of the importance of having annual mammograms beginning at 40 years of age.  In addition Walker’s Point aims to provide over 770 low or no cost breast cancer screening resources to underserved women who are age and risk eligible. 

Since 2009, the NFL has donated $4.5 million to the American Cancer Society in support of the fight to end breast cancer. For more information, visit nfl.com/pink.