Two Piedmont Healthcare-affiliated hospitals have been awarded grants from It’s The Journey, Inc., producers of the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer.
Piedmont Fayette Hospital was awarded over $20,000 to support the hospital’s patient navigator, whose primary responsibility is to guide cancer patients through their continuum of care and provide comfort during difficult times. Two grants also were given to Piedmont Atlanta Hospital totaling $60,000.
The first of Piedmont Atlanta’s grants, valued at $35,000, will fund Pink at Piedmont, a comprehensive, 12-week wellness program designed to support women in the community currently undergoing breast cancer treatment and up to eight months post-treatment for breast cancer. Pink at Piedmont offers exercise three times a week, nutrition consultation, education and stress reduction through guided imagery and yoga.
The second grant, which is for $25,000, will fund genetic counseling and testing for eligible, high-risk individuals who are underserved and uninsured.
“These programs funded by It’s the Journey help us identify women who are at risk and better serve those who have already begun their fight,” said John Goodman, executive director of oncology services for Piedmont Healthcare. “Our main goal is to reduce stress and anxiety caused by a cancer diagnosis. Anything we can do to empower patients to refocus their energy on healing and things that make their cancer journey better helps.”
Programs provided by Cancer Wellness at Piedmont are free to anyone affected by cancer regardless of where they receive treatment, thanks to private donations and grants like the ones received from It’s The Journey, Inc. Professionally-led programs include education, relaxation and stress reduction, movement and exercise, expressive arts, meditation, support groups, individual nutritional and psychological counseling, cooking demos and social events.
Last year, Cancer Wellness at Piedmont helped 1,200 patients. That number is expected to increase significantly this year as a result of a private donation from Thomas F. Chapman and family that allowed Cancer Wellness at Piedmont to be expanded to Piedmont Newnan and Piedmont Henry hospitals.
“We work all year to present grants to the most deserving breast health and breast cancer programs in the state,” said Kimberly Goff, executive d-irector of It’s The Journey, Inc. “We want to ensure these organizations can continue to provide services from basic clinical exams to hereditary screening and follow-up treatment for breast cancer. We are proud that our funds remain focused on local needs that make a difference in Georgia communities.”
It’s The Journey, Inc. awarded 19 grants to organizations across the state. These organizations include those who provide treatment to underserved communities, educate patients on early detection practices and offer multi-language treatment options.
Piedmont is a Pink Ribbon Sponsor of the 11th Anniversary Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer which will take place October 5 to 6, 2013. All of the money raised in Atlanta will stay in Georgia. To register for the walk, visit www.2DayWalk.org.
About Piedmont Fayette
Piedmont Healthcare, a not-for-profit organization ,includes Piedmont Fayette Hospital, a 172-bed, acute-care community hospital in Fayetteville. Piedmont Healthcare also is the parent company of Piedmont Heart Institute (PHI), comprised of nearly 100 affiliated cardiovascular specialists in Piedmont Heart Institute Physicians with 25 locations across north Georgia; the Piedmont Physicians Group, with over 150 primary care physicians in more than 50 offices, in addition to more than 20 specialists in over 15 locations across greater Atlanta; the Piedmont Clinic, an 800-member physician network; and Piedmont Healthcare Foundation, the philanthropic entity for private fundraising initiatives. For more information about Piedmont Atlanta, visit piedmont.org.
About the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer
The Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer is a 30-mile, 2-Day Walk to raise money and awareness for Georgia breast cancer programs. In ten years, the 2-Day Walk has generated almost $9 million to fund 188 grants, assisting programs in Georgia that help provide breast cancer screening, awareness, education, diagnosis, treatment, and much more. For information about sponsorship, becoming a walker, or making a donation, visit www.2daywalk.org, e-mail info@2daywalk.org or call 404-531-4111.
About It’s The Journey, Inc.
It’s The Journey, Inc., producer of the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that serves Georgia’s breast cancer community by raising money and awareness for screening, early detection and support services via its 2-Day Walk and other events throughout the year.
