Mobile screening ‘no different than going to a hospital’

By Cris Villalonga-Vivoni Record-Journal staff

MERIDEN On a recent Wednesday morning, residents passing by the city’s Department of Health and Human Services were surprised to find a massive, hot pink van outside. The words “Hartford HealthCare,” “Take the Time” and “ mammograms ” were etched all over the outside of the vehicle, promoting a singular goal to maximize access to comprehensive breast cancer screenings at no out-of-pocket cost.

About one in eight American women develop invasive breast cancer at some point in their lives, according to Breastcancer.org. In Connecticut, the American Cancer Society estimated there were about 3,600 new cancer diagnoses related to breast cancer in 2022.

Funded by the state Department of Public Health, Hartford Hospital's Take the

Time bus is a mobile mammography van visiting towns throughout Connecticut to provide mammograms to women for free. The screenings take about 15 to 20 minutes and have no wait time. All the mammograms are read by the hospital's radiologists, according to Hartford HealthCare's website.

The Central Region Outreach Coordinator for Hartford HealthCare's Cancer Institute, Tina Rodriguez, said that the bus primarily goes to spots that can be easily accessed, such as job sites and local health departments.

Rodriguez said that life responsibilities, like jobs and kids, can deter a person from seeking regular medical treatment. Lack of health insurance can also contribute to an individual pushing back their routine screenings. However, having the van go to different spaces allows the technicians to meet patients where they are while creating more opportunities to get screened.

For example, Rodriguez said that the van recently hosted an event at the North Haven Amazon warehouse so that employees could get screened. "It's awesome that these jobs and agencies are willing to request for the mammography van to come out and provide a service that's so important for women…[who] have been too busy to take care of themselves," she added.

Ellie Traver learned about the van through the Meriden Senior Center. She said that she was long overdue for a

Educators

From A4 mammogram and loved how quickly she was seen and able to leave.

Delta Kappa Gamma Society Zeta Chapter members Lorna Mangles, Lenore Martinelli, Nancy Tingley and Carole Franceschet deliver baskets of donated baby items to Mary and Joseph’s Place administrator Mary Cornwall.

The Hartford HealthCare Take the Time mobile van is seen here parked in front of the Meriden Health Department on Miller Street. The Take the Time mobile van aims to fill breast cancer screening gaps by bringing free mammograms and preventative care to cities and towns across central Connecticut.

Before leaving the Take the Time mobile mammography van, Traver said the technicians spoke with her about the importance of monthly breast exams.

"It's easy," said Traver. "It's convenient when you're here for 15 to 20 minutes."

Earlier this summer, retired North Haven special education teacher Nancy Tingley led a Zeta delegation to deliver baskets of donated baby items to Mary and Joseph’s Place at the Village Medical Center in North Haven.

The baskets included diapers of all sizes, lotion, bibs, socks, toys, books, and more. Zeta members brought donations to their May 17 meeting, and Tingley organized the items into beautifully-decorated bags and baskets.

Mary and Joseph’s Place was very grateful for the generous donation.

Women educators in any field of education, and at all stages of their professional career, are invited to inquire about membership in DKG, Zeta Chapter. Contact Page Pelphrey, membership chair, at 203-909-4000, or wesleymama@gmail.com.

Know your evacuation zone: The best action to protect yourself and your family from the flooding and high winds caused by hurricanes is to evacuate when ordered to do so, before those conditions hit your area. Know and follow the directions from local officials for community evacuation and fol- low posted evacuation routes.

Make an emergency plan: Have an emergency plan for how your family would communicate, evacuate and shelter in place should there be an emergency. An emergency plan should address the specific needs of all of your family members and those you are responsible for. Consider the following: How will I receive emergency alerts and warnings? What is my shelter plan? What is my evacuation route? What is my family/ household communication plan? Consider specific needs for everyone in your household, including seniors, children, individuals with special needs, and pets. Also, dietary needs, medical needs (including prescriptions and equipment), disabilities or access and functional needs (including devices and equipment) and cultural and religious considerations should all be taken into account when creating an emergency plan. Once your plan is in place, practice for an emergency with the members of your household.

Build an emergency kit:An emergency supply kit should sustain your household for 3 to 5 days without power. A basic kit might include the following: food and water; battery-powered or hand-crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert; flashlight and extra batteries; First Aid kit; whistle (to signal for help); dust mask (to help filter contaminated air); soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes; prescription and nonprescription medications; eyeglasses and contact lens solution; infant formula, bottles, diapers and wipes; important family documents and cash or traveler's checks; plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place); moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation); wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities); manual can opener; local maps; cell phone with chargers and a backup battery. Items should be stored in airtight plastic bags. Then, put your supplies in one or two easy-to- carry containers such as a plastic bin or a duffel bag.

Prepare your home: You can improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricane conditions. Consider cutting weak branches and trees that could fall on your house. Make sure there’s nothing that could blow around during the storm and damage your home, and move bikes, lawn furniture, grills, propane tanks and building materials inside or under shelter. Keep drains, gutters and downspouts clear of debris. Cover up windows and doors by using storm shutters or plywood. Secure all doors on your property and find a safe location for your vehicle.

Stay informed: Every family should have multiple methods for receiving emergency alerts. Learn more about different types of alerting and information tools including the Emergency Alert System, Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, social and traditional news media, and local notification systems.