Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography

What does a wedding have to do with Francine's Friends, the mobile mammography program supported by Francine's Friends, in partnership with Parkview Comprehensive Center and the Breast Diagnostic Center? Just ask Rosie Werling.

Rosie has worked for 25 years at OmniSource. It had been 20 years since Rosie had received a screening mammogram. So when she received the notice at work that Francine's Friends would be on-site providing this important service, Rosie signed up. Little did she know how it would change her life. "I am a single mother and I didn't really spend much time or effort on myself. Instead I focused my energies on my son, Jeff."

When the day arrived for Rosie to join her co-workers on the coach to be screened, Rosie felt no apprehension. The coach was attractive and private; the staff was friendly and professional and the mammogram itself was not as uncomfortable as she remembered from the past. Rosie had no symptoms; she hadn't felt a lump. So she was not expecting the call back she received for more testing. In September of 2006, Rose was diagnosed with breast cancer. She chose to have a lumpectomy as her cancer was found at an early stage. Rosie also found she was a candidate for a newer treatment-mammosite. She received her radiation treatment twice a day through a temporary implant over a 5-day period. Treatment was relatively short and Rosie suffered no side effects, even continuing to work full time while undergoing the radiation.

With treatment completed, Rosie was happy to again devote her time to work and family. Shortly after Rosie's treatment ended, her son, Jeff, announced his engagement. Jeff and Jenn married in October of 2008.

This brings us back to the initial question: What does a wedding have to do with Francine's Friends? Francine's Friends, an all-volunteer organization, was named for Francine Schubert, who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2002. The mission of Francine's Friends is to make screening mammography available to all women in Allen County, regardless of their ability to pay. Each year, an annual breakfast hosts approximately 400-500 women and helps raise funds to cover the cost of the mammograms. Last year, Rosie was one of the cancer survivors who was featured at the breakfast. Rosie modeled a mother-of-the-groom dress and learned that anonymous "Friends" had helped underwrite the cost of the makeover, allowing her to keep everything she was modeling that morning. What does Rosie think of Francine's Friends? "Early detection made it easier for me to deal with my treatment and made my recovery smoother. It was possible for me to enjoy every moment of my son's wedding day."

October 9, 2009 is the date of this year's Francine's Friends breakfast, celebrating five years of helping all women receive life-saving mammography screenings. Visit http://www.FrancinesFriends.org to learn more.