A Silver Lining Foundation
Ensuring Access and Treatment Options to Under-served Individuals Affected by Cancer
As many of my loyal readers know, I am a breast cancer survivor. In 2011, I was diagnosed with DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma in Situ) in my left breast, and I underwent cancer treatment and a mastectomy. Thankfully, I was fortunate to have an amazing medical team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and the Lynn Sage Comprehensive Breast Center and was able to win my breast cancer battle with my humor and health intact.
Other women aren’t so lucky. Not only are they are unable to access basic medical screenings such as yearly mammograms, but even when they are diagnosed, they are unable to afford treatment and are left to cope without adequate medical or financial information or community support and resources.
That is why a Silver Lining Foundation is so near and dear to my heart. A Silver Lining Foundation (ASLF) is a nonprofit that provides mammography access and treatment options to underserved individuals. Emmy-Award winner and WMAQ-Channel 5 nutrition contributor Dr. Sandy Goldberg founded ASLF after her own diagnosis with breast cancer in 2000. She wanted to ensure that socioeconomic status never affected an individual’s ability to obtain information, cancer screenings or diagnosis.
On March 1, A Silver Lining Foundation launched Survive to Thrive, a program designed specifically for women and men who have been previously diagnosed with breast cancer. Survive to Thrive is tailored to fit the unique needs of breast cancer survivors who are uninsured or underinsured by offering no-cost diagnostic testing.
“As a breast cancer survivor I understand that fear of wondering whether the cancer has returned,” says Goldberg. “This program will provide breast cancer survivors with access to diagnostic testing so needed to maintain one’s health and ease one’s mind.”
Since 2006, more than 6,000 women have received access to a cost-free screening mammogram and diagnostic evaluation from A Silver Lining Foundation. Of those women receiving services, 99 percent were uninsured ; without ASLF screenings, they might not have discovered their cancer until it was too late. The new Survive to Thrive program will continue to ensure that everyone receives the highest level of healthcare and support they need and deserve after a cancer diagnosis.