Spring 2010

“You have Cancer.” We all know someone who has heard these words…a family member, a friend, ourselves. Three little words none of us want to hear that strike fear into our hearts. However, if we are to be the recipient of these words, we know it is much better to hear them early in the disease than later.

In 2009 there were 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer in the United States. The chance of a woman having breast cancer some time during her life is 1 in 8. The chance of dying from breast cancer is 1 in 35. The good news is that breast cancer death rates have been going down, most likely the result of early detection and better treatment.

Another familiar phrase we hear is “if we can’t see it, we can’t treat it.” O’Connor Hospital Foundation’s highest priority for Imaging Services is to update the existing film-screen mammography unit by creating a state-of-the-art full-field digital mammography suite. Each year O’Connor Hospital provides an estimated 2,900 mammograms.

Mammograms are one of the best methods for early breast cancer detection. Digital mammograms have been shown to lower the number of false positives, reduce radiation exposure and decrease the need for additional imaging procedures. The new mammography unit will allow Radiologists to magnify and manipulate the digital images instantly which can lead to early breast cancer detection, improved treatment options and increased rate of survival for a wider range of women.

The total cost for the new equipment and installation is approximately $850,000. To date approximately $550,000 has been raised for this important life-saving project. We are inviting friends, like you, to help O’Connor achieve its goal to create a state-of-the-art mammography suite to provide women with one of the best methods for early breast cancer detection.

Single one-time gifts or making a pledge over a period of time are ways for you to support this project. Creating a pledge gift allows you to consider a larger donation that can be contributed over a three year period. If you would like to take advantage of a pledge option, the Foundation can help you put one in place. Pledge contributions can be made monthly, quarterly, twice a year or annually. Timely gift reminders will be sent to pledge donors. It is an easy way to maximize your gift for this critical diagnostic tool in the fight against breast cancer.

Right now there are more than 2½ million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Until a cure is found, we at O’Connor want to provide every woman the best possible chance of being among a growing number of survivors. To make an online donation please click here or print the reply card (PDF) and return it with your donation to O'Connor Hospital Foundation, 2105 Forest Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128. We are deeply grateful to you for your past support, and we hope you will join us in this effort.

Sincerely,

Previous Appeals

February 2010
Sr. Michele Randall and the O’Connor Hospital Foundation are asking for your support of our less fortunate patients. Our Patient Advocacy Fund allows our social workers with financial assistance to immediately meet the urgent needs of our patients and families.