Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust Helps Patients in Need at Good Samaritan

Since the Breast Cancer Awareness special group recognition (SGR) license plate was first made available in 2002, $7 million has been distributed by the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust (IBCAT) through competitively awarded grants to organizations throughout Indiana for innovative projects for breast cancer screening, diagnostic and support services not otherwise available to medically underserved populations in Indiana. In addition, over $131,500 has been awarded in scholarships to high school seniors who have lost a parent to breast cancer or have a parent currently battling the disease.

These dollars have supported patients locally at Good Samaritan’s Breast Care Center. Recently, the Breast Care Center was granted $10,168.90. “Good Samaritan is deeply grateful for the support provided by the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust,” stated Crystal Beadles, Good Samaritan Mammography Manager. “This money will be used to pay for screening mammograms, diagnostic exams, ultrasounds, breast MRIs and breast biopsies for uninsured and underinsured patients.” Patients can call Good Samaritan’s Breast Care Center at 812-885-3627 and quickly see if they qualify for financial assistance.

The mission of the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, Inc. is to increase awareness and improve access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and support services throughout Indiana. Indiana residents may purchase an Indiana breast cancer awareness special group recognition license plate by visiting any Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles branch, online at IN.gov/BMV, or on a BMV Connect kiosk for an annual $40 fee, $25 of which is a direct tax-deductible donation (to the extent of the law). The plate may be purchased for display on passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, trucks with a declared gross weight of not more than 11,000 pounds, and recreational vehicles.

The Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness SGR license plate was the brain-child of the late Nancy Jaynes, a Plymouth (IN) High School family and consumer sciences teacher. Nancy lost her battle with breast cancer in March of 2008. Her vision that the license plate be a traveling billboard and reminder about the importance of early detection of breast cancer is alive and making a difference to thousands of Hoosiers.

For more information or to make a direct donation to the Indiana Breast Cancer Awareness Trust, please visit our website at www.BreastCancerPlate.org.