Community Support Makes 2025 a Record Year for the BCMH Cares Mammogram Fund
Healthy Blue representative Lillian Colburn presented a $5,000 grant for the BCMH Cares Mammogram Fund to BCMH employees and board members, from left: Jody Welston, Board Member; Andrea Jackson, Marketing/PR Coordinator; Lillian Colburn; Doneda Swenson, Nuclear Medicine Technologist; and Linda Jennings, Board Member.
Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) is celebrating an incredible outpouring of community support for the BCMH Cares Mammogram Fund during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
This fund gives local women hope through early detection by helping provide screening mammograms and follow-up imaging for those who don’t have insurance. And this year, our community came together like never before.
“Our community showed up in an incredible way this year,” said Christi Pope, RT, R, M, Director of Imaging Services at BCMH. “From our local school pink events to internal fundraising efforts, every contribution helps us give women access to lifesaving screenings.”
Brenda Thornburg, 50/50 raffle winner, pictured with BCMH mammography technologists Christi Pope and Doneda Swenson, and Director of Human Resources Kristina Anderson.
Hospital Fundraisers Add Up
Employees at BCMH joined in the effort with two internal fundraisers — a 50/50 raffle and the Wall of Hope ribbon display.
- 50/50 Raffle: Won by Brenda Thornburg, BCMH Housekeeper, who received $95, with another $95 donated to the BCMH Cares Fund.
- Ribbon Sales: $62
Community Teams Up for a Cause
Beyond the hospital, the Butler Bears Go Pink Volleyball event contributed $930, and the Miami Eagles Go Pink Volleyball event will soon report its total. Each of these events reminds us that small-town teamwork can make a big impact.
Healthy Blue Grant Boosts Local Impact
The largest donation this year came from Healthy Blue (a MO HealthNet Managed Care plan and Missouri Medicaid product), which awarded a $5,000 grant to the BCMH Cares Mammogram Fund. The grant was initiated by Lillian Colburn, Community Relations Representative for Healthy Blue and a proud Butler Bear alumnus. Lillian remembers helping raise funds for BCMH Cares when she was in high school, and her continued dedication helped bring this generous grant home to Bates County.
“BCMH appreciates Healthy Blue’s support and collaboration in improving the health and lives of people throughout Missouri,” said Pope. “Together, we’re giving women in our community hope through early detection.”
With this year’s total contributions, more women in our area will have access to early, potentially lifesaving screenings, because of a community that cares.
