Offered three times a year, the on-site mobile unit provides mammograms to women in need, with October’s visit recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month

This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Storehouse Community Center is shining a light on the power of partnership and prevention. Through its collaboration with Golden Cross Academic Clinic and Methodist Health System’s Mobile Mammography Unit, The Storehouse offers free on-site mammograms three times a year—making life-saving screenings accessible to women who might otherwise go without.

“Our partnership with Golden Cross Academic Clinic first began in 2022, enabling us to refer our neighbors to healthcare services at their clinic as well as to provide health education classes through our Academy education program,” said Candace Winslow, CEO of The Storehouse Community Center. “Through Project Hope, our case management arm, we’re able to walk alongside our neighbors and connect them to resources beyond food and clothing—including medical care. We are deeply grateful to Golden Cross and Methodist Health System for their partnership and for bringing critical breast health services directly to our campus—ensuring that more women have access to life-saving screenings.”

The mammography unit’s first visit to The Storehouse occurred in June of 2022.  Since then, more than 200 neighbors have received screenings. If a concern is identified, the clinic refers neighbors to appropriate follow-up care through a patient navigation process, helping connect them to low-cost services whenever possible.

For Storehouse neighbor Nancy Ferguson, who lost her mother to breast cancer and is considered high risk, finding the mammography unit at The Storehouse was a “gift from God.”

Ferguson, a mother of five daughters ranging in age from 12 to 35, understands the importance of regular mammograms. Cancer runs deep in her family – both her parents and several relatives on both sides have battled the disease.

“I’ve always been adamant about getting my annual mammogram,” said Ferguson. “But after my divorce, I no longer had insurance and couldn’t afford the screening. It was very stressful because I knew my risk was high. I had been searching for somewhere to get screened, and then one day I passed by a mobile mammography unit in front of The Storehouse Community Center.”

Originally from Honduras, Ferguson has been living in the United States for 28 years and works as a nanny in the neighborhood near The Storehouse. She was already familiar with the work of The Storehouse after stopping by one day when seeing multiple cars lined up outside.

“I stopped that day and talked to a volunteer who was so friendly,” recalled Ferguson. “She explained that the cars were there for the food pantry program at The Storehouse and told me about other resources like classes and clothing. She gave me a flyer with a QR code, and I learned more. This is such a difficult time we live in, so I started coming regularly to get food for my family – wonderful food…meat, eggs, fruit and more. It was so organized, and everyone was so happy and kind.”

“Then on the day I drove by and saw the big mammography bus parked in front of The Storehouse, I could not believe it!” said Ferguson. “It was like God had put it there for me! I went inside to see if they had time to see me and was able to make an appointment! I felt so blessed.”

“My mother had breast cancer twice,” she continued. “We were living in Honduras, and I was a teenager when she found a lump on Christmas Day. She was only 35. My mother felt ill, and when she put her hands on her chest, she felt a lump in her left breast. She had a mastectomy, and I dropped out of college to care for her because my dad needed to work. Years later when she was 60, it came back aggressively as stage 3 cancer. She had a second mastectomy and lived for three more years.”

“Then my dad developed prostate cancer, which metastasized, and he only lived another three years, passing away at 68,” continued Ferguson. “I also cared for him.”

Cancer has touched many in her extended family. Her mother’s brother developed skin cancer; her dad’s brother developed testicular cancer and passed away, and that uncle’s daughter developed ovarian cancer.

“I have always done self-exams, but a screening is so important,” added Ferguson. “Twenty years ago, I had extensive screening and genetic testing, and the doctor told me I was a miracle because I didn’t have cancer. He told me to get checked every six months, and I’ve worked hard to stay on top of it!”

Ferguson is deeply grateful to The Storehouse Community Center and Methodist Health System for making lifesaving screenings accessible.

“My advice to other women is simple – don’t wait!” she said. “Cancer is real, and it’s very bad. Be healthy for yourself and your family. The Storehouse provides this at no cost, and that can save your life.”

Today, Ferguson focuses on maintaining a healthy lifestyle – eating well, exercising, managing stress, and cherishing time with her family.  

“All during October, I wear something pink in memory of my mother,” she added. “It might be a shirt, a bow, or a bracelet. Everyone needs to know how important it is to check yourself and get annual screenings. The Storehouse has helped me in so many ways – with food, clothing, mammograms, doctor visits, and referrals, and everyone has taken such good care of me. I feel truly blessed.”

The Methodist Dallas Medical Center Golden Cross Academic Clinic is an outpatient department of Methodist Dallas Medical Center and provides a location for a multi-specialty clinic serving patients in Oak Cliff, South Dallas, and surrounding neighborhoods, offering services in acute care, primary care, and chronic conditions.

“Since partnering with The Storehouse, we’ve seen firsthand how access changes outcomes,” said Dr. Elizabeth Brewer, Medical Director of Internal Medicine, Golden Cross Academic Clinic. “Working together, we are providing both women and men access to ongoing medical care, education, and preventive services. Programs like the mobile mammography unit help us meet neighbors where they are, empowering them to take charge of their health.”

For more information on mammography screenings at The Storehouse, email info@thestorehousecc.org, complete the request form available at www.thestorehousecc.org under “I need more,” or call 469-385-1813.

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The Storehouse Community Center (formerly The Storehouse of Collin County) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community through food, clothing, resources, education, and employment support. By creating strong partnerships and offering transformational programs, TSCC works to address the root causes of food insecurity and empower neighbors to achieve self-sufficiency. During its previous fiscal year, The Storehouse served 166,124 unduplicated neighbors with the support of more than 2,000 volunteers. Visit www.thestorehousecc.org. The Storehouse EIN: 27-1883333