Two Highlands residents tell their stories because they had timely mammograms

Bringing mammography to Haliburton County will save lives – Please support the MooseFM Health Radiothon t to improve local healthcare

Darlene Armstrong and Tammy Rea may not know each other but they share a similar story – breast cancer caught early means that they are alive today. And they want everyone to know just how important local access to digital mammography is for the women of Haliburton County.

The Haliburton Highlands Health Services Foundation (HHHS Foundation) Here for You in the Highlands campaign is raising money to ensure a new and state-of-the-art digital mammography unit is available in the County. Every dollar donated during the upcoming MooseFM Health Radiothon on August 15 & 16 will receive two more dollars through two matching gifts. The new digital mammography equipment is expected to be installed and operating by the end of this year.

“Tragically, two members of my book club have died from cancer and I might have been another statistic in the club,” says Gull Lake resident Tammy Rea. “I consider it a miracle. I’m one of the lucky ones as I was able to take the time and have the resources to travel outside the County for a mammogram.”

Tammy was diagnosed with stage zero breast cancer, something that could only be detected through a screening mammogram. She received treatment quickly and is back to her busy life as a mom, wife, and community organizer. In July, she participated in the 15-kilometer swim challenge organized by the Canadian Cancer Society.

When Darlene Armstrong of Haliburton discovered a lump on her breast, she traveled to Peterborough for the mammogram that confirmed the diagnosis.

“I was very surprised to be diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 45,” said Darlene.  “I live a healthy, active lifestyle.  In 2018, I would not have qualified for regular mammogram screening because I was considered too young.  I am pleased to hear the guidelines for screening are changing and women aged 40 will now qualify”.

Given the family history and the results of her mammogram, the healthcare team was concerned the cancer would spread throughout her body. Darlene underwent successful chemotherapy and radiation. “To put it bluntly, screening says lives.  It saved mine,” she says. Darlene, who is on staff at HHHS and a county resident, is acutely aware of the need in the Haliburton Highlands.

Tammy and Darlene both stress the importance of regular mammograms but also know the strain in terms of time and money makes it difficult or impossible for many County residents to make the trip to Peterborough or Lindsay for the 15-minute diagnostic test. What is considered routine in urban centres can be a huge barrier for women in rural areas.

“I cannot overstate the importance of a getting a regular mammogram. How lucky we will be to have this screening test closer to our homes,” says Darlene. For the past six years, she has taken a day off work to travel to Peterborough for her mammograms. 

Local access to mammography will be especially important as the province recently announced that women over 40 will be regularly referred for a mammogram at their annual checkup. Women over 70 will have to continue to ask for their mammogram each year.

There are an estimated 6,000 women in the Highlands at risk of breast cancer who will benefit from easy access to digital mammography. It is a disease which can be successfully treated if caught early, as Tammy and Darlene can attest to.

 “I am grateful I am here to use my voice to help bring this life-saving equipment to Haliburton County,” says Tammy. “My money is supporting mammography and I am encouraging everyone in this amazing community to do the same.”

The HHHS Foundation is the recipient of the annual MooseFM Health Radiothon which takes place this year from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on August 15 and 16, presented by Minden Subaru and hosted by Rick Lowes.

How to support the Radiothon:

• Online donations: www.hhhs.ca/foundation/give
• Over the phone: 705-457-1580 or 705-286-1580
• In-person donation locations (10-4 p.m. Aug 15 & 16):
  • Beside Wind in the Willows, 152 Highland Street, Haliburton
  • Todd’s Independent Grocer, 5121 Haliburton County Rd 21, Haliburton
  • Dollo’s Foodland, 12325 ON-35, Minden
  • Parks’ Foodland, 188 Highland Street, Haliburton
  • Tim Horton’s drive-thru in Minden 
  • MooseFm Radio station 6am-6pm, 152 Highland Street, Haliburton

Limited hourly sponsorships available: call 705-457-1580, first come first served.

Plus special challenges and prizes throughout the day. To learn more about how HHHS is Here for You and how you can make a gift during the Radiothon which will be double matched, please visit the HHHS Foundation website: hhhs.ca/foundation.

For more information about the campaign and to discuss how you can get involved please contact, Executive Director, Melanie Klodt Wong (mklodtwong@hhhs.ca) 705-457-1580