RALEIGH, North Carolina— The Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting all cancers that affect women, and the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer, a non-profit that strives to support Georgia's breast cancer community, have awarded Atrium Health Navicent with $50,000 and $10,000 grants, respectively. The grants were given to support a mobile mammography program that aims to increase access to breast cancer screenings, which is set to launch later this year.
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund, Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer and Atrium Health Navicent have partnered to provide funding for access, education and cancer screening to under-resourced women in Milledgeville, Georgia. The $60,000 fund will be given on “Tasha Butts Day,” a day on which Milledgeville residents honor a former Baldwin High School Bravette, coach and champion for the under-resourced: Tasha Butts.
“Access to high-quality health care, including mammograms and cancer care, is vital in helping women across central and South Georgia live fuller, healthier lives,” said Delvecchio Finley, president of Atrium Health, Georgia Market. “Atrium Health Navicent is thankful for support from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer in spreading awareness and helping to expand access to life-saving mammograms.”
Milledgeville-native Tasha Butts played for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx before serving as an assistant coach for multiple NCAA women’s basketball teams, including Georgia Tech and Louisiana State University, before being named head coach for the Georgetown University Hoyas in 2023. A servant and leader who was committed to breaking down health care barriers, Butts lost a two-year battle with breast cancer in Oct. 2023.
Mary Parham-Copelan, mayor of Milledgeville, presented a proclamation that named Oct. 18, 2024, as Tasha Butts Day during a ceremony at Baldwin County High School, which was attended by community members and Butts family representatives.
“We are honored to commemorate Tasha Butts Day by supporting Atrium Health Navicent in their mission to improve health, elevate hope and advance healing for all,” said Ray Roberts, director of community engagement at the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer. “This grant represents our commitment to fostering positive change and reflects Tasha Butts' unwavering spirit of generosity and service.”
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund conducted an empowerment tour at Baldwin County High School on Friday, Oct. 18. The tour aimed to provide empowerment to the younger generation by encouraging them to use their platform and influencing to break down barriers to quality cancer health care for their loved ones. Through the tour, the intends to reach thousands of people and communities nationwide.
“Bringing communities together has always been at the heart of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund,” said Jenny Palmateer, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “Having the opportunity to do this alongside the city of Milledgeville, Atrium Health Navicent and the Georgia Alliance for Breast Cancer for the local community is exactly what Coach Yow envisioned.”
Led by women’s basketball coaches, players, officials and fans, the Kay Yow Cancer Fund has been awarded $8.7 million in the fight against cancers affecting women. The fund aims to raise awareness and provide strength, hope and courage to those who are battling the disease.
