I’m helping women detect breast cancer early
Vatsala Kapur Pathy, Program Officer
The Avon/CDC Foundation Mobile Access Program
In April 2003 the CDC Foundation awarded eight community organizations grants to implement mobile mammography screening programs to reach underserved women - such as the uninsured or those living in geographically remote areas. Funding for the initiative was provided by a $4.1 million gift from the Avon Foundation. According to CDC, timely mammography screening among women ages 40 or older could prevent approximately 16 percent of all breast cancer deaths.
Vatsala Kapur Pathy never dreamed she’d know the exact dimensions of a mobile mammography coach, or that they’re built on a truck chassis, and some even come equipped with laundry chutes.
But she has learned all that – and much more – working on the Avon/CDC Foundation Mobile Access Program.
“Making this program operational is a tremendous task,” says Kapur Pathy. “I’m learning new things every day.”
Kapur Pathy serves as a critical intermediary between the Avon Foundation, CDC, and the seven community organizations that have been awarded grants through a $4.1 million gift from the Avon Foundation. At first her role entailed overseeing big-picture tasks, like working with CDC to send out a request for proposals to more than 8,000 qualified community groups, forming a committee to whittle 125 responses down to 25 finalists, and facilitating the selection of seven grantees. But as time went on and the program continued to evolve, she found herself immersed in a slew of details.
“To save money, the CDC Foundation is purchasing the coaches and equipment in bulk, so I had to travel to the manufacturing plant in Cincinnati and learn how coaches are built,” she explains. “I’ve been involved in everything from reviewing flooring and wallpaper options for the coaches’ interiors, to overseeing the placement and size of the creative design on the outside of the vehicles, to learning about different film processing options that can be used on board.”
Kathleen Walas, president of the Avon Foundation, says the CDC Foundation has played a crucial role in ensuring the program’s success. “From the very beginning, the CDC Foundation has served as a critical link in facilitating this collaborative partnership with CDC,” says Walas. “Our partnership is an excellent example of Avon’s commitment to providing medically underserved women in multi-cultural communities across the country with access to quality breast cancer screening.”
Notes Kapur Pathy, “We’re making this program work at every level. The CDC Foundation is not a government agency, so we can purchase $500,000 worth of equipment without going through a lengthy approval process. We can make decisions quickly – I’m the bridge between all parties. As an independent foundation, we’re in a unique position to make this program succeed.”