The Center of Everything Medical

FoundCare is a lifeline for the patients who need it most

Brenda August, a now 61-year-old Palm Beach County resident, had been laid off from a job, leaving her without health insurance, when she discovered a lump in her right breast—and seemingly few options for care.

Through a program subsidized by Promise Fund of Florida at FoundCare, a vital community health center in Palm Springs, Brenda was able to get a mammogram, ultrasound and biopsy. It was not long before doctors diagnosed her with stage II breast cancer. It had been three years since her last mammogram, which she could not have afforded if not for FoundCare’s sliding fee scale.

After her diagnosis, Brenda was assigned a Patient Navigator at FoundCare who helped her receive follow-up services, as well as resources for assistance such as transportation to medical treatment and access to financial assistance for rent, food and other needs that can be strained by a cancer diagnosis. After discussing the best options for treatment with her care team, Brenda received a lumpectomy. She happily reports she is now cancerfree thanks to FoundCare and its partnership with Promise Fund of Florida.

Brenda’s case is illustrative of FoundCare’s mission to provide medical services to everyone, including uninsured and underserved individuals and families. “Federally Qualified Health Centers like FoundCare help increase access to crucial primary care services by reducing barriers such as cost, lack of insurance, distance and language for its patients,” said CEO Chris Irizarry.