THE BEGINING

Since the Foundation’s beginning in 2001, JTL has partnered with the Alabama Department of Public Health’s (ADPH) Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to pay for mammograms for the underserved in Alabama ages 40-49. The Foundation’s part in this partnership is to provide large quarterly donations to ADPH to assist in payment of services. Donation amounts are based on service needs that ADPH shares with JTL. The Foundation’s commitment is so strong that, in some years, ADPH has run out of funding, and JTL has stepped up to provide the resources needed to keep the program going.

IN RECENT YEARS,

JTL began providing services for women and men ages 39 and under due to growing requests from individual calls and medical facilities throughout the state. JTL became the only organization in Alabama helping men get tested for breast cancer. Currently, the Foundation is working with five men who are undergoing tests .

When the Susan G. Komen organization (who was offering similar services in the northern half of Alabama) left the state in 2020, JTL’s calls increased again.

Today, JTL is officially a statewide organization, serving all 67 counties. It has been, and continues to be, extremely important to the Foundation that women and men are getting the assistance they need because, in the words of our co-founder Joy Blondheim, “Everyone deserves the opportunity to receive the medical help they need. Increasing the number of breast cancer survivors each year is very important to us.”

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to receive the medical help they need. Increasing the number of breast cancer survivors each year is very important to us.”

The Foundation continually receives messages from individuals thanking us for providing services that have made a dramatic difference in their lives.

Early detection IS saving lives!

We hear it almost every week.

The average call volume can be in the range of 20-30-plus calls a day.

When Joy to Life started in 2001, the calls were primarily from Montgomery, Autauga and Elmore counties. A few years later, JTL's reach expanded to include the southern half of the state. Today, JTL is proud to provide funding of breast health services in every county of Alabama.

OUR FUNDING:

Joy to Life depends on the sale of our pink car tag for funding and our annual Walk of Life event along with any available grants, but, most importantly, Joy to Life relies on donations from individuals and businesses to continue providing the life-saving work needed in Alabama.

TO MAKE A DONATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE JOYTOLIFE.ORG.

HOW MUCH DOES JOY TO LIFE PAY?

When you consider the costs* of JTL’s range of direct-pay services and the number of patients these services are provided to, it really adds up, underscoring the value of its life-saving work and the need for continued support from fundraising:

*These costs are discounted somewhat for JTL and the costs range widely depending on the provider and location. On average, JTL pays $500 - $800 for services per person and more when the need is greater.

LIVE HERE. GIVE HERE. All donations serve cancer needs in Alabama.

A recent partnership with UAB will add even more access to patients in need.

Joy to Life supports all 67 counties in the state through the Alabama Department of Public Health. Direct pay services for 35 federal clinics in 26 Alabama counties.

DIRECT PAY SERVICES PROVIDED:

Ultrasounds ($285 - $1000)

Mammograms ($600 - $1800)

Surgeon - Biopsies (includes various types) ($1000 - $20,000)

Radiologists to read results ($100 - $400)

Anesthetist ($600 - $1000)

Physician Consult ($250 - $500)

Follow-ups ($250 - $500)

FUNDING IN PART PROVIDED THROUGH A GRANT FROM AMERICAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION.

WHO DOES JOY TO LIFE HELP?

Ladies Only

A retired couple moved to Harvest, Alabama, to be near their children and their families. The husband found a lump and visited a local clinic. They did not have insurance coverage for the tests. JTL paid for his services, and after a mammogram and biopsy, he received the good news that it was benign. They were so grateful to JTL and vowed to “pay it forward.” A few years later, they were able to afford a better health insurance plan and gave a donation to JTL.

WHY THIS MATTERS: WORK

A mom with four kids in North Alabama was diagnosed with cancer and had, according to her doctors, “the worst scan” they had ever seen. JTL paid for her services and all involved were invested and so happy to see her saved. She is now doing fine.

SERVICES COVERED BY JOY TO LIFE FUNDING IN ALABAMA: