Just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Aultman Breast Care Center paired up with The Kent Area Chapter of The Links, Incorporated at a recent event to promote breast awareness.

Project Homeless Connect was held at the Canton Civic Center to assist the local homeless population. The Links promotes and facilitates programs that support maintenance of health and elimination of chronic health disparities in communities of color through education, health advocacy and optimal utilization of health resources.

Each woman who signed up for the Project Homeless Connect event received free bras, which were donated by Breast Oasis, who collaborated with The Links to offer bras to those in need. Each woman also got a free bra fitting and a breast exam. Tina Brechbill, MSN, CNS, AOCN, CBEC and Dr. Kisa Weeman, of the Aultman Breast Care Center, performed the breast exams on all participants.

In addition to breast awareness education, the women were given a next-day appointment for free mammogram in the Aultman Breast Care Center. Bus passes and other assistance were given to ensure all participants had the transportation they needed. Once the women had their mammogram, they were given a bag of self-care items, along with a free lunch coupon that could be used at Aultman’s cafeteria or Seasons Café. A total of 17 breast exams were performed at the Project Homeless Connect event, and six women returned for mammograms. The Aultman Breast Care Center is in the process of contacting the other 11 ladies in the hope they will return for a mammogram at a later date.