Across the globe and here in our home state, millions of women are unable to afford or access screening for cervical cancer. For that reason, helping women access affordable medical care is central to our mission and hosting “Free Screening Days” is a focus of our work. We held our first Free Screening Day (FSD) on January 20, 2007, which spurred a tradition of holding our FSDs in January, which is National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month. In addition to providing medical care, FSDs are an opportunity to link women with state health insurance and other programs to set them on a path of maintaining regular affordable health care.

 

The Hicks Foundation has partnered with Maitri Health Care for Women, Champlain OBGYN, and the Open Door Clinic to provide free cancer screenings days. In October 2008, we co-hosted a migrant worker free screening day to reach the many migrant workers who are rarely, if ever, screened.  In 2009 we expanded our annual Free Screening Day from one to three sites. Many women have come to rely on our annual screening days and we plan to continue to work with the Department of Health and local health care providers to host Free Screening Days across the state.

 

Our Free Screening Days have already made a difference in the lives of hundreds of women struggling to access affordable care. One young woman reached out to Allison after the first screening to give her thanks. With her permission, her Ob/Gyn told us that this young woman had very advanced pre-cancerous cellular changes and that it was entirely possible that attendance at our free screening day had saved this 28 year old’s life.

 

According to the Vermont Department of Health, the populations most affected by cervical cancer are older women; women with lower educational levels; and women without health insurance or a personal doctor. Cervical cancer is the tenth most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in Vermont and incidence rates for Vermont women are higher than the U.S average. Cervical cancer is second only to testicular cancer in average years of life lost at 26.4 years. Vermont women age 75-79 have the highest age-specific incidence of cervical cancer. With each of our program areas, we are committed to reaching these most vulnerable populations.