The Griffin Hospital Development Fund

Griffin Hospital “Campaign for Breast Wellness” Reaches Goal

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:54:00 GMT

DERBY, CT (February 27, 2012) - Griffin Hospital has announced the completion of its Campaign for Breast Wellness to support the creation of a state-of-the art, comprehensive Center for Breast Wellness as part of the array of services now offered at the hospital’s Hewitt Ambulatory Pavilion. Griffin Hospital received contributions from more than 1,300 individuals, businesses, and foundations toward its goal of raising $1 million to create the new Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness.

“We are honored and humbled by the broad support that has been given to this effort, and we are deeply grateful for all of the help we received from so many throughout the region who provided the essential funding for this initiative,” commented Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital. “This was a true community effort of which the entire community should be proud.”

Susan Coyle, Co-Chair of the Campaign and Owner/Broker at Real Estate Two of Shelton, shared Charmel’s gratitude: “The success of campaign can be measured not only by the amount of money we raised, which was truly significant, but also by the number of lives that have been and will be impacted by the Center for years to come. What we accomplished in raising $1 million for the Campaign for Breast Wellness goes far beyond just creating a building or buying equipment.”

The Campaign for Breast Wellness began in earnest in May, 2010 with the goal of raising $1 million. Campaign Committee Co-Chairs Patricia Tarasovic, Director of the Volunteer Action Center at the Valley United Way, and Susan Coyle recruited a dynamic committee of volunteers who reached out to friends, colleagues, neighbors, businesses and foundations to explain the need for private philanthropy to support this effort.

“From the beginning, we believed it would be very important to conduct a grassroots effort,” said Cornelia Evans, Executive Director of the Griffin Hospital Development Fund. “The leadership of the hospital – our Board and Administration – stressed the goal of raising awareness about the importance of early detection in saving lives while also raising funds for the Center. The best way to do that was to involve as many folks as possible in a truly positive and empowering way. And we had the perfect Campaign leadership and committee to execute that strategy!”

“The grassroots aspect of the Campaign was so important – and so like the Valley.” said Co-Chair Patricia Tarasovic. “We have a strong tradition of rallying together for the greater good here, and that’s exactly what this Campaign encouraged. The entire community built this Center and made it possible for Griffin to offer these services. We should all be proud of that. And we should be proud of the increased awareness about breast cancer that resulted from all of these efforts. Awareness alone will save lives!”

The private funds raised included grants from the Hewitt Foundation, for which the Center is now named, a gift from the United Illuminating Foundation, and the Valley Community Foundation, among other donors. Proceeds from several community based events contributed a significant amount to the goal, including the Housy One-Miler Swim for Griffin, the 2010 Griffin Center for Cancer Care 5K Walk Run, the 2011 St. Patrick’s Day Dinner Dance, and 2010 and 2011 “Valley Goes Pink” community-wide events. The total cost of building and equipping the center was $2.2 million.

Now with the conclusion of the Campaign, the Hewitt Center staff and its Medical Director, Dr. Zandra Cheng, are looking forward to continuing to provide the very best care possible for residents of the Valley. Since the Hewitt Center’s opening in January 2011, over 8,000 mammograms have been performed. With a commitment to putting patients first, staff at the Center have redesigned and streamlined their clinical processes to ensure that patients receive their results by the end of the day. “We want to do everything within our power to decrease the anxiety patients experience when waiting for the next test, definitive diagnosis, or plan of treatment,” says Zandra Cheng, MD. “We have assembled all the pieces necessary to deliver world class care at the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.”

Though the Campaign has come to an end, our fundraising for patient care, education, training and technical innovation at the Hewitt Center will continue,” says Cornelia Evans. “Susan Coyle has agreed to continue chairing ‘The Valley Goes Pink’ effort, which this year raised over $50,000, thanks to more than 150 participants from schools, clubs, and corporations throughout the region.”

About Griffin Hospital:

Griffin Hospital is a 160-bed acute care community hospital serving more than 100,000 residents of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Region in Connecticut. The hospital has more than 300 active and courtesy physicians who have admitting privileges, and is affiliated with the Yale School of Medicine. Griffin was honored by the Planetree organization with its “2010 Distinction for Leadership and Innovation in Patient-Centered Care Award,” which recognizes its work to continually advance the practice of patient-centered care through outreach, research, scholarship and innovation. Recognized for having industry-leading patient satisfaction ratings, Griffin has also received numerous quality and clinical excellence awards, including recently being named one of the nation’s top performers on key quality measures. Griffin was the only Connecticut hospital and one of only 405 hospitals nationwide to earn this prestigious distinction from The Joint Commission, the leading accreditor of healthcare organizations in America.

More ...

Curtiss-Ryan to Present Check to Campaign for Breast Wellness

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 21:53:00 GMT

DERBY, CT (December 6, 2011) - With your car, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way. Now, thanks to Curtiss-Ryan Honda, every oil change performed at its award-winning service department over the past year will go a long way toward fighting breast cancer in our area.

As part of the Griffin Hospital Campaign for BreastWellness, Curtiss-Ryan pledged to donate a portion of the cost of each oil change its service department performed since January 1 of this year to the campaign effort. That total recently surpassed $10,000, and Curtiss-Ryan Chief Operating Officer Edward DeMarseilles will present a check to Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital and Co-Chairs of the Campaign Susan Coyle and Patricia Tarasovic at 1:00 pm Thursday, December 8 at the dealership’s 333 Bridgeport Avenue locationin Shelton.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous contribution of Curtiss-Ryan to the Campaign for Breast Wellness, which in turn supports our efforts to provide state-of-the-art breast care for the women in our area,” said Patrick Charmel, Griffin Hospital President and CEO. “We appreciate their creativity in making this gift, which also helped raise awareness of our Campaign efforts among all the customers who had their oil changed at the dealership over the past year.

“Here at Curtiss-Ryan Honda, we perform over one thousand oil and filter changes each month,” said DeMarseilles. “When we heard Griffin Hospital was raising money for the Campaign for Breast Wellness, we thought a steady and consistent approach toward reaching a significant goal would be accomplished best one oil and filter change at a time. We are proud to help an organization that does so much for the Valley residents.”

Thanks in part to this most recent gift, the efforts of the “Valley Goes Pink” initiative, which celebrated its second year, and several individual and corporate gifts, the two-year Campaign for Breast Wellness is drawing to a successful close, having attained over $920,000 of its $1 million fundraising goal to support The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

More ...

Valley to "Go Pink" for Breast Wellness in October

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:22:00 GMT

DERBY, CT - As part of Griffin Hospital’s grassroots Campaign for Breast Wellness, the Valley will “go pink” throughout October to help raise support for the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness.

During this month-long, community-wide effort, a number of area businesses, municipalities, clubs, individuals, and other organizations will be helping to create awareness about breast cancer programs in the Valley while raising funds to support Griffin Hospital’s new Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness.

Area businesses will be joining Griffin Hospital in “Pink-ifying” their establishments during the month. Some will be donating a percentage of sales during The Valley Goes Pink, including proceeds from the sale of special pink items for sale at Griffin Hospital or Blanchette Sporting Goods; others will be creating their own events to support the effort.

The money raised during the month will be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the new Center for Breast Wellness, for training and development of staff, to provide patient amenities, and to create patient assistance funds for those who require financial or other help to access the services and treatment they need.

“We encourage the entire community to join in this effort by patronizing local businesses that are participating with The Valley Goes Pink promotion, by hosting a ‘pay to dress down’ or ‘dress pink’ day, holding a raffle, buying some of the items for sale at Griffin Hospital, such as pink breast cancer gel watches or pink wristbands,” said Sue Coyle, co-Chair of the Campaign for Breast Wellness and chair of the Valley Goes Pink Event. “If you are affiliated with a club or a business or a school, let them know about the initiative. It’s great fun, and the proceeds benefit a local cause – Griffin Hospital – which will touch the lives of neighbors, friends, and family.”

For more information on what is going on throughout the month, call (203) 732-7504, check out the Griffin Hospital website at griffinhealth.org/pink, or visit the Campaign for Breast Wellness Facebook page at www.facebook.com/campaignforbreastwellness.

Griffin Hospital’s new Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness, located on the ground floor of the Hewitt Ambulatory Care Pavilion that adjoins the Center for Cancer Care, offers state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, patient navigation services, genetic evaluation, plastic and reconstructive surgery evaluation and treatment, education, support, and rehabilitation services -- all in the Planetree healing environment for which Griffin Hospital is known.

More ...

Second Annual "Housy One-Miler" Swim to Benefit Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:34:00 GMT

DERBY, CT (July 12, 2011) - Griffin Hospital will host the second annual "Housy One-Miler" swim at 10:00 am Sunday, August 14. This one-mile swim event, sponsored by Prudential, will begin at the Housatonic River Bank, 36 Birchbank Road in Shelton.

In concert with a committee of volunteers and the residents of the Birchbank area of Shelton, Griffin Hospital launched the Housy One-Miler swim last year to raise money for the Campaign for Breast Wellness, which aims to raise $1 million for the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness. The event experienced such an outpouring of support and enthusiasm from the community that the hospital decided to produce a second swim. “With the leadership and support of so many dynamic volunteers, led by Charlie Sullivan and Pat Tarasovic, we are sure to have another huge success and to raise considerable support for our Campaign, which is currently within $250,000 of being complete,” said Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital.

The swim event is being organized by a committee of community leaders who are lending their time and talents to this worthwhile effort. Committee members include Charlie Sullivan, Event Co-Chair, Patricia Tarasovic, Event Co-Chair and Co-Chair of the Campaign for Breast Wellness, Joyce Barcley, Susan Coyle, Patrick DiCaprio, Liz Kennard, Pam Petro, and Jack Walsh. In addition, the residents of the Birchbank section of Shelton open up their front lawns, docks, and waterfronts to host the event.

Co-Chair Charlie Sullivan, owner of John J. Sullivan’s Restaurant in Ansonia, says planning is well underway, and swimmers have already begun to register online. “As a Birchbanker myself, I know I speak for my friends and neighbors when I say that we are thrilled to be hosting the event for a second year. It’s a fantastic opportunity for all of us to come together and have fun while raising money for a cause that has touched every one of us.”

This year, the event will feature a "Fun Swim" for those who don’t feel they can swim the entire mile. The Fun Swim is an opportunity for individuals to take a dip, make a splash, and raise money for the cause. “It’s all about raising awareness about breast cancer prevention, building community, and helping the hospital save lives. And we can do all of that while having a great time together. There’s nothing better than that!” said Tarasovic.

Early registration on for the event is encouraged, as the swim is limited to the first 100 to register. Swimmers must be 16 years of age or older within 2011 calendar year to participate, and written parental permission is required for those under 18. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt. No swim aids are allowed (unless participating in the Fun Swim), wet suits are optional, and swimming caps are required.

Each swimmer is encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges from their families, friends, and/or co-workers, and swimmers will receive a special color swim cap corresponding to the amount of pledges they raise ($100 - Red Cap; $1,500 - Silver Cap; $500 - Blue Cap; $1,000 -Bronze Cap; and $2,000 - Gold Cap).

Individuals interested in participating in the Housy One-Miler can register on www.housyswim.kintera.org. The web site allows participants to register and do all of their fundraising online, and it provides easy links to Facebook, Linked-In and Twitter, which enable swimmers access social media tools to help broadcast their efforts to friends and family.

In addition, various sponsorship opportunities exist for non-swimmers looking to join the effort, with each including a specific benefit package. For more information on the Housy One-Miler, contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at 203.732.7504 or go to www.griffinhealth.org.

###

More ...

Hewitt Foundation Names Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 19:43:00 GMT

DERBY, CT (July 5, 2011) - The Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital is now "The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness." The Shelton-based Hewitt Foundation's name will soon adorn the center by virtue of its $250,000 naming gift to the hospital's ongoing Campaign for Breast Wellness.

The Campaign, which kicked off last year with a goal of raising $1 million, has now raised almost $750,000 thanks to the addition of this naming gift from the Hewitt Foundation, which will be disbursed over the next three years.

The Foundation's latest gift follows a $750,000 gift given in 2007 that named the Hewitt Ambulatory Care Pavilion, which houses the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness on its Ground Floor. The Hewitt Pavilion adjoins the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital at 350 Seymour Avenue in Derby, and houses the offices of General & Laparoscopic Surgical Associates, also on the Ground Floor, Griffin Hospital's Special Procedures Unit, on the First Floor, and the hospital's Rehabilitation Services and Cardiac Rehabilitation Departments, on the Pavilion's Second Floor.

"We are extremely grateful for these two significant naming gifts from the Hewitt Foundation," said Patrick Charmel, Griffin Hospital President and CEO. "Since it opened in January 2011, The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness has raised the level of breast care Griffin Hospital is able to provide, and has set a new standard for the delivery of comprehensive breast wellness and healthcare services in a comfortable and supportive environment by a remarkable team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals. The Center will serve as a lasting legacy to the Hewitt Organization's history of providing healthcare in our community."

The Hewitt Foundation was established in 2004 after the Hewitt Organization sold its three properties in Shelton: The Flora and Mary Hewitt Memorial Hospital, Gardner Heights convalescent home, and Shelton Lakes Residence & Health Center. The proceeds of the sale were used to establish a Foundation, whose basic mission is to fund services for the elderly and health care, according to Hewitt Foundation Treasurer Harry DiAdamo.

DiAdamo, who served as administrator of the Hewitt Memorial Hospital from 1972 to mid-1984, said the Foundation is a small organization that focuses its financial support on Valley agencies. "We do not seek publicity," he said. "The goal is to keep alive the Hewitt Hospital's (healthcare) origins."

Echoing that sentiment was Hewitt Foundation President Pat Carey, a former member of the Hewitt Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, who said funding healthcare agencies is part of Hewitt's mission statement. "The Foundation's board tries to be pretty picky (about allocating funding) where it will do the most good," he said. The Hewitt Foundation also supports Training, Education, and Manpower Inc.'s Meals on Wheels elderly nutrition program, as well as Birmingham Group Health Services' CHERISH program, which works to fight abuse of the elderly.

Both Carey and DiAdamo have been touched personally by breast cancer, and talk openly about the fact their wives are breast cancer survivors. "Since both of our wives have had breast cancer, this was a no-brainer," Carey said, adding that the Foundation's board members "wanted to keep the Hewitt name in the Valley" by naming the Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital.

DiAdamo agrees. "Griffin has developed a wonderful, first-class environment. The Foundation wants to support them," he said.

As the Campaign for Breast Wellness nears its $1 million goal, individual naming opportunities still exist, according to Cornelia Evans, Executive Director of the Griffin Hospital Development Fund. "We continue to welcome individual and community support of the campaign," she said. "Several upcoming fundraising events are planned to help us reach our goal, including the 2^nd Annual "Housy One-Miler Swim" on August 14 the "Valley Goes Pink" celebration that will take place throughout October, and several other events throughout the community."

For more information on supporting the Campaign for Breast Wellness, either through an individual gift or by participating in or supporting a campaign-related event, visit the hospital's website at www.griffinhealth.org or call the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at 203.732.7504.

More ...

Ansonia Rod and Gun Club Donates $5,000 to Center for Cancer Care Walk/Run Event

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 21:05:00 GMT

The Ansonia Rod and Gun Club, a key sponsor of the 2nd Annual Center for Cancer Care 5k Walk/Run in 2010, has stepped forward once again, generously donating $5,000 to help sponsor this year's event, scheduled for 10 am Saturday, October 1, 2011 at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

The donation was spearheaded by Ansonia Rod and Gun Club Treasurer Horace Behrle, who also serves as a Volunteer Ambassador at the Center for Cancer Care, and fellow member Arthur Davies, who joined in presenting the Club's sponsorship check to Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel, Vice President for Ambulatory Care Services Marge Deegan, and Center for Cancer Care Radiation Therapist Laura Howell, who along with Chief Radiation Therapist Lori Murphy, co-chairs the 5k Walk/Run.

The annual event, which brings together cancer patients, their family members, and friends, follows a 5k course around the Center for Cancer Care and Griffin Hospital, with participants (both individuals and teams) either walking or running in honor, memory, or celebration of a loved one and their cancer journey. This day of celebration and remembrance has grown from approximately 250 participants in its inaugural year in 2009, to 500 participants last October. The goal is 750 participants for the 2011 5k Walk/Run.

For more information on the 3rd Annual Center for Cancer Care 5k Walk/Run, visit http://www.griffinhealth.orgwww.griffinhealth.org/WaystoGive/Attend/5KWalkRun.aspx.

Photo

More ...

The Valley to "Go Pink" for Breast Wellness October 17 - 23

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 05:00:00 GMT

As part of Griffin Hospital's $1 million grassroots Campaign for Breast Wellness, the Valley will "go pink" from October 17 - 23.

During this week-long, community-wide effort, a number of area businesses, municipalities, and other organizations will be helping to create awareness about breast cancer programs in the Valley while raising funds to help build Griffin Hospital's new Center for Breast Wellness.

Area businesses will be joining Griffin Hospital in "Pink-ifying" during the week. Some will be donating a percentage of sales during Pink Week, including special pink items; others will be setting up collection jars at check out during the week, or creating events of their own to support this effort.

The money raised during the week will be used to purchase state-of-the-art equipment for the new Center, including digital mammography, ultrasound, and biopsy machines, and to expand the Valley Women's Health Initiative, which provides free mammograms to underserved women in our community.

Griffin Hospital's new Center for Breast Wellness, currently under construction on the ground floor of the Hewitt Ambulatory Care Pavilion that adjoins the Center for Cancer Care, will offer state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, patient navigation services, genetic evaluation, plastic and reconstructive surgery evaluation and treatment, education, support, and rehabilitation services - all in a healing environment for which Griffin is known.

"We encourage the entire community to join in this effort by patronizing local businesses that are participating with The Valley Goes Pink promotion, wearing pink and/or decorate your work space with pink flowers, candy, etc., or making a personal gift to the Campaign for Breast Wellness," said Connie Evans, Executive Director of the Griffin Hospital Development Fund.

For more information on what area businesses are doing throughout the week, check out the Griffin Hospital website at www.griffinhealth.org or visit the Campaign Facebook site at www.facebook.com/campaignforbreastwellness.

###

More ...

Wine Tasting to Benefit Griffin Hospital Breast Wellness Center

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 05:00:00 GMT

"Vineyards of the World. A Wine Tasting Social" will take place on Sunday, September 26, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Ari Bella Restaurant, 66 Huntington St., Shelton. Members of the community are invited to join Campaign for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital co-chairs Susan Coyle and Patricia Tarasovic as they host a wine tasting social with light hors d'oeuvres to benefit the campaign.

"Spend a leisurely Sunday afternoon titillating your taste buds, mingling with friends, and meeting new people who are committed to our cause," say Susan and Pat.

Tickets are $50 per person ($25 of each ticket will be donated to the Campaign). Call 203.926.1122 or 203.926.9478 to make your reservations.

The Campaign for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital officially kicked off in May with a goal of raising $1 million (within a year) to help create the Center, which will provide unique resources that are now unavailable in the Valley. Dr. Zandra H. M. Cheng, a fellowship trained breast surgeon, recently joined the Griffin Hospital Medical Staff as Medical Director of the planned Center. Dr. Cheng, who was recruited from the Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, Maryland, a world class breast center, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the position.

To learn more about the Campaign for Breast Wellness and related upcoming fundraising events, including a 5K Walk/Run on Saturday, October 2, contact Cornelia Evans, CFRE, Executive Director, Griffin Hospital Development Fund, 203-732-7335 or email cevans@griffinhealth.org.

#

More ...

"Housy One-Miler" Swim to Benefit Griffin Hospital Breast Wellness Center

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:10:00 GMT

The Griffin Hospital Development Fund will host the first ever “Housy One-Miler” swim at 10:00 am Sunday, August 22, 2010. This one-mile swim event, sponsored by Prudential, will begin at the Housatonic River Bank, 36 Birchbank Road in Shelton.

The inaugural Housy One-Miler offers a challenge to local corporations, schools, community/civic groups, families and individuals to swim for the fight against breast cancer, with all net proceeds from this event directed toward the establishment of the Griffin Hospital Breast Wellness Center. Griffin is creating this new, comprehensive breast care facility to offer its community the highest quality screening, diagnostic, and follow-up services to detect and treat breast cancer at its earliest stages.

The swim event is being organized by the Hospital’s Development Fund and a committee of community leaders who are lending their time and talents to this worthwhile effort. Committee members include Patricia Tarasovic, Co-Chair of the Campaign for Breast Wellness, Joyce Barcley, Joe DeFelice, Patrick DiCaprio, Liz Kennard, Pam Petro, Charlie Sullivan, and Jack Walsh.

“I’ve lost two great friends to Cancer in the past two years,” said Sullivan, who is serving as chair of the swim committee. “In their honor I joined the fight against breast cancer and the building of the Breast Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital.”

Early registration for the event is encouraged, as the swim is limited to the first 100 to register. All swimmers must be 16 years of age or older within 2010 calendar year to participate, and written parental permission is required for those under 18. All participants will receive a commemorative t-shirt. No swim aids are allowed, wet suits are optional, and swimming caps are required.

Each swimmer is encouraged to raise a minimum of $100 in pledges from their families, friends, and/or co-workers, and will and special color swim cap corresponding to the amount of pledge they raise ($100 - Red Cap; $1,500 - Silver Cap; $500 - Blue Cap; $1,000 -Bronze Cap; and $2,000 - Gold Cap).

The Griffin Hospital Radiology Department has raised more than $700 in pledges to support the effort of Naugatuck High School swim captain James Streifel, son of James and Kateri Streifel, Supervisor of the Radiology Department’s Invasive Imaging Unit.

Individuals interested in participating in the Housy One-Miler can register online at www.griffinhealth.org or go directly to the fundraising page for the event at www.FirstGiving.com/GriffinHospital. The FirstGiving website allows participants to register and do all of their fundraising online.

More ...

Griffin Hospital to Hold "Rally in the Valley" May 6 to Launch Community-Wide Effort to Create a Comprehensive Breast Wellness Center

kroberts@griffinhealth.org — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT

Griffin Hospital is holding a "Rally in the Valley" at 5:30 pm Thursday, May 6 at the Shelton Intermediate School, 675 Constitution Boulevard North in Shelton, to launch its campaign to create a comprehensive Breast Wellness Center.

The new Breast Wellness Center will combine medical, diagnostic, and outreach services together on the ground floor of the Hewitt Ambulatory Care Pavilion, which adjoins the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital. It will be home to the practice of a fellowship trained breast surgeon, state-of-the-art digital mammography equipment, genetic counseling and testing, and a host of outreach and support services that will build on Griffin?s effective Rapid Diagnostic Breast Center model. This patient-centered approach helps ease the anxiety experienced by women who discover a lump in their breast or have an abnormal mammogram by reducing the time from initial finding to definitive diagnosis and by helping to coordinate and expedite care, if necessary, once a diagnosis is made.

The May 6 "Rally" is open to all and will serve as the official launch of the hospital's community-wide effort to raise $1 million in funding to create the new Center. "Building a comprehensive Breast Wellness Center at this time is a high, mission driven priority for Griffin Hospital" said Patrick Charmel, President and CEO. "Women in Connecticut have the third highest rate of new breast cancers in the United States, and here in the Lower Naugatuck Valley, only 52 percent of women have had a mammogram within the last year," he said. "The community's low mammography screening rate is unacceptable because we know that treatment is more effective when breast cancer is detected early."

Of all cancers diagnosed or first treated at Griffin Hospital in 2009, breast cancer was the most frequent. "The need for more preventive screening and enhanced diagnostic capability is clear, and the creation of a Breast WellnessCenter is central to this goal," said Cornelia Evans, Executive Director of the Griffin Hospital Development Fund. "We have already assembled a tremendously energetic and committed group of community members who are being led by the campaign's co-chairs, Patricia Tarasovic of the Valley United Way and Susan Coyle of Real Estate Two. This dynamic group is already at work to help us move the campaign forward and bring it out into our surrounding communities," she said. "The 'Rally in the Valley' will be just that: a rallying point to raise awareness of the issue, outline our plans to create both a world-class facility and breast wellness service for area women, and engage the community in helping us reach our goal."

The event will feature a presentation on the hospital's plans for the Breast Wellness Center, entertainment provided by Center Stage, patient testimonials, and various opportunities for community members to learn more about breast cancer early detection and treatment, as well as how they can become involved in the campaign effort through various events and networking activities.

As the largest provider of mammography services to its community of more than 100,000 people, Griffin has dedicated itself to promoting breast health throughout the region and expediting care for its patients. Over the past decade since the establishment of our Rapid Diagnostic Breast Center in 2000, Griffin's "turn-around-time" from detection of an abnormality to diagnosis and treatment planning has gone from 33 days to six days, on average. The new Center will help decrease this time even more, and also bring the most advanced diagnostic capabilities available to bear in fighting breast cancer, including:

* Full field digital mammography
* Ultrasound and ultrasound guided breast biopsy
* Stereotactic biopsy capability
* Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS), which enables radiologists and other physicians to view, interpret, and share images/data electronically.
* Genetic counseling and testing ? personally designed prevention and early detection strategies for high risk patients and family members.

Full field digital mammography is rapidly becoming the standard of care, especially for women with dense breast tissue, because it offers superior diagnostic capability through higher resolution imaging, thereby reducing the need for repeated exposure.

"The time is now to bring this life-saving technology together with Griffin's team of caregivers and Planetree model of care that we all have come to rely upon for our care," said Patricia Tarasovic. "The committee chose the theme for this campaign, 'For Love of Life; For Lives We Love,' to reflect the emotional connection we all have with this disease."

"Our work together as a community to create this Breast Wellness Center will benefit all of us now and long into the future," said Susan Coyle. "It will be our legacy of hope and healing for the Valley."

To learn more about the May 6 "Rally in the Valley" event or opportunities to become involved in the campaign to create a Breast Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital, contact the Griffin Hospital Development Fund at 203.732.7504 or visit the Griffin web site www.griffinhealth.org.

###
More ...