The CHI Memorial Foundation and Breast Cancer Support Services announce the two organizations have joined together to ensure the continuation of supportive services to women and men undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Breast Cancer Support Services was founded by Elaine Hill and Martha Lee to provide support, services and resources to women, men and families living with breast cancer.  For 27 years, the organization has been committed to reducing anxiety and lightening the burden for breast cancer survivors and their families, regardless of how long they have been diagnosed. The non-profit, volunteer-driven group provides educational programming, resources for information, nurturing support through peer groups and financial assistance with grants. Since 1992, the group has interacted with thousands of people, nearly 20,000 times through support groups, education, the wig and prosthesis bank and telephone peer support.

“Since our founding, we have worked cooperatively with other organizations, health care providers, corporations and individuals who share our mission,” said Ms. Hill.  “The MaryEllen Locher Breast Center’s devotion to excellence in breast cancer detection and treatment has been an invaluable resource in the community for more than 10 years.  As we contemplated the future of our organization and how to ensure our funds accomplished the most good for the community, CHI Memorial quickly became our partner of choice.”

Jennifer Nicely, president of the CHI Memorial Foundation, said, “We are pleased to join together to establish the Elaine S. Hill Breast Cancer Support Services Endowment.  This fund will be used exclusively to develop educational programming and foster outreach in our community focused on breast cancer survivors and their families.”

"Each year, nearly 30,000 people receive care at the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center," officials said. "CHI Memorial’s MaryEllen Locher Breast Center is the region’s only triple accredited center dedicated to the full spectrum of advanced clinical and support services.  Accreditation by the American College of Radiology, the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the National Consortium of Breast Centers ensures our processes and treatment plans consistently meets or exceeds all quality standards of care."  

“The Elaine S. Hill Breast Cancer Support Services Endowment will provide a platform for the expansion of education and outreach about a disease that will affect one in eight women in the US in their lifetime,” said Ms. Nicely. 

To learn more about the MaryEllen Locher Breast Center or the Elaine S. Hill Breast Cancer Support Services Endowment, visit MaryEllenLocher.com or call 423-495-4438.