A Silver Lining Foundation
Ensuring Access and Treatment Options to Under-served Individuals Affected by Cancer
A Silver Lining Foundation has evolved from a single outreach program connecting those in need of breast cancer resources to a funder of potentially life-saving breast health testing at 16 partner hospitals in the greater Chicagoland, Elgin and Rockford areas. Through five interrelated programs, ASLF provides access to breast health services and resources. ASLF doesn’t exclude based on age, residency, or socioeconomics. The only requirement is need.
Established in 2006, Buy A Mom A Mammogram® (BAMAM) funds cost-free breast health testing for those who are uninsured, underinsured and/or ineligible for other breast health testing programs. ASLF doesn’t exclude anyone based on age, residency, or socioeconomics. The only requirement is need.
Through BAMAM, nearly 30,000 women have received cost-free screening mammograms and diagnostic testing, which includes diagnostic mammogram, breast ultrasound, MRI and biopsy. Men also get breast cancer; BAMAM will fund testing for any man in need. See our BAMAM Impact.
As best known, ASLF is the only organization in Illinois that funds screening and diagnostic breast health testing based solely on need. The rate of diagnosis for women funded through BAMAM is five times the national average.
ASLF works with 16 partner hospitals throughout Chicagoland, Rockford, Elgin, Evanston and Des Plaines. Should there be a diagnosis of breast cancer, these partner hospitals ensure that anyone coming through ASLF’s BAMAM program will receive cost-free treatment via public programs or the hospital’s charity care program. Our hospital partners are:
AdventHealth Hinsdale • Advocate Christ Medical Center • Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center • Ascension Holy Family • Ascension Saint Francis • Ascension Saint Joseph – Elgin • Holy Cross Hospital • Mercyhealth • Mount Sinai Hospital • Roseland Community Hospital • Saint Anthony Hospital • South Shore Hospital • Swedish Hospital • UChicago Medicine Ingalls Memorial • UI Health • West Suburban Medical Center
Survive to Thrive is an outgrowth of the Buy A Mom A Mammogram® program, designed specifically for women (and men) previously diagnosed with breast cancer. The program is tailored to fit the unique needs of survivors who are uninsured or underinsured by offering cost-free diagnostic testing.
Evelyn Goldberg Mammography Center is named in honor of ASLF Founder Dr. Sandy Goldberg’s mother whose words, “We are all family, and we have to help each other through the hard times,” are at the core of ASLF’s mission. Located at UI Health, ASLF’s first hospital partner, the center evolved from an information/resource hub to a warm and welcoming environment where those referred by the BAMAM program are greeted and cared for by trained professionals using the most current equipment and technology.
Keep aBreast is an in-person multimedia presentation that includes a candid discussion among breast cancer survivors, educators and young women and teaches young women proper breast self-exam and to advocate for their health. If women are trained early to check their breast tissue, learn the signs of a potential problem and spread the information among family and community members, many lives could be saved.
Given COVID-19 restrictions, this program had been placed on temporary hold as ASLF explores options to create a virtual version of the presentation.
As COVID-19 restrictions ease, the program may again be available in an in-person format. If your school, place of worship, youth/community group or similar organization is interested in a Keep aBreast presentation, contact A Silver Lining Foundation at 312-345-1322 or info@asilverliningfoundation.org.
Chicagoland Cancer Information Coalition (CCIC), ASLF’s first program, is comprised of advocacy groups, social service, voluntary and community-based health organizations as well as city and county departments dedicated and committed in the fight against cancer. On average, 60 percent of women in the BAMAM program are referred by a CCIC participating organization, including:
311 City Services • Access Community Health Network • American Cancer Society • Aunt Martha’s • Chicago Family Health • Gilda’s Club Chicago • Greater Elgin Clinic • Health & Healing for Life • Lawndale Christian Health Center • Mile Square Health Center • Old Irving Park Community Clinic • PCC Salud Family Health Center • Second Act • Sharsheret • VNA • Wellness House • Winfield Moody Health Center