Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI

January 12, 2011, Page 3

Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Dealership partners with Hospitals

Wayne (third from right) and Peggy (second from right) Gross present a check to Neillsville Memorial Center (MMC) Registered Radiologic Technologists (from left) Melody Kuhn, Julie Ziegler and (right) Wendy Proffitt, MMC patient Financial services supervisor. Gross Motors partnered with three area medical facilities to establish the Gross Motors Mammography Fund.  (Contributed Photo)

Four years ago, Peggy and Wayne Gross initiated a partnership, effectively making healthcare more accessible for people who live in the area.

The partnership, uniting Gross Motors and three area medical facilities, including Neillsville’s Memorial Medical Center (MMC), established the Gross Motors Mammography Fund.

Inspired by Peggy’s personal experience with breast cancer, Gross Motors hosts an annual October vehicle sale, which coincides with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Held at all three dealership locations, $50 is donated to the Mammogram Fund every time a customer takes a vehicle test drive.  The goal is not only to encourage women to have their annual mammograms but also make mammograms more accessible by removing he cost barrier.

At Neillsville’s MMC, the fund is managed through the Patient Financial Services Department. 

“Our medical staff works hard to educate people on the importance of taking control of their health and getting preventive screenings, but cost can be a real barrier,” said Wendy Proffitt, Patient Financial Services supervisor. “Thankfully, we can offer solutions to patients, like the Gross Motors Fund.  Those who qualify are so appreciative and are truly more in control of their health. That’s a pretty great thing to help someone do.”

Screening mammography is the best way to detect breast cancer in the earliest stages of the disease; it can detect breast cancer before it can be detected by a physician’s exam or any symptoms appear.  Breast cancer detected early is much less invasive to treat and has the best survival rate.  It is important to discuss with a doctor all aspects of a woman’s health, including breast health.  Together, women can determine when they should have a screening mammogram exam.

For more information about the Gross Motors Mammogram Fund at MMC, call Proffitt at 7615-7 43-3101, ext. 1505.