Cancer Walk to Donate $40,000 towards 3D Mammography Machine
Milbank, SD – June 2, 2016
It Only Takes A Spark has donated $40,000 to Northeast South Dakota Healthcare Foundation towards the purchase of the new 3D mammography machine the Milbank Area Hospital Avera recently acquired. The core committee met with teams about plans back in March after hospital administrator, Natalie Gauer, discussed some of the new equipment needs at the hospital. “With the teams doing a majority of the fund raising efforts, we wanted their input to what the board was considering” stated Matt Scott, Core Committee member. “The best way for patients to have a greater chance of being a cancer survivor is with early detection” Matt continued. “Knowing we can have some of the latest technology in our community is a great step forward in fighting breast cancer. With early detection, it should considerably help a better prognosis and treatment plans for patients.” Gauer stated “We are striving to be a leader in women’s health in our area and offer state-of-the-art technology. We are grateful to receive this donation as it makes a considerable difference as we work to positively affect the health of our community. We thank those who were a part in raising this money and assure them this outstanding technology will affect many people in our area.”
Funds for such donations were earmarked over the past couple years by the core committee. Each year 20% of the funds raised are typically designated towards efforts with cancer-related equipment, services, or even cancer research. Most recently, a portion of those funds purchased the treatment chairs currently used at the hospital for patients receiving chemotherapy. We’ve also been supporting the local Cancer Support Group held at the Milbank Area Hospital Avera. “Knowing that we are assisting patients with cancer related expenses and enabling our healthcare services with state-of-the-art technology is a move we all can appreciate,” Matt concluded.
Each year the It Only Takes A Spark group hosts an annual Cancer Walk in Milbank to raise funds for cancer diagnosed patients of Grant County, South Dakota. A minimum of 70% of those funds goes to cancer diagnosed patients by reimbursing those expenses, supplying gas cards, etc. through an annual application process. The remaining 10% or up to $10,000 goes towards operating expenses.
The Core Committee includes Angie Johnson, Amanda Cummins, Matt Scott, Ann Tuchscherer, and Aaron Anderson. The group is very busy gearing up with our next walk on June 10 as eleven teams and the core committee host our 19th Annual It Only Takes A Spark Cancer Walk. It’s also never too late about starting a new team for 2017. If anyone is interested, they are encouraged to contact us. Those interested in applying for funds or are looking for more information about It Only Takes A Spark should check out our website at https://takesaspark.org and following us on our Facebook page.
– It Only Takes A Spark Core Committee
