Trinity Health Of New England Encourages Breast Cancer Prevention Throughout October

As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month activities, Saint Francis hosted Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz for a press conference announcing PinkLink free mammogram events.

In Hartford and Enfield, Trinity Health Of New England colleagues hosted PinkLink, an annual initiative that provides free screening mammograms to underinsured and uninsured women in the community.  The Comprehensive Women’s Health Center at Saint Francis Hospital also held a “Pink Party” to raise funds for the Charlotte Hollfelder Fund, used to provide screenings for underinsured and uninsured patients throughout the year. Christina Metcalf, M.D., Director of Breast Surgery at the Comprehensive Women’s Health Center, appeared on WTNH News 8 to discuss breast cancer research in Connecticut. Breast Surgeon Kathryn Capasso, M.D., was interviewed on WTIC Newstalk 1080’s Healthy Rounds with Dr. Anthony Alessi to talk about the importance of proactivity and prevention. 

In the Springfield market, rain forced the cancellation of the ride portion of the 2024 “Wicked in Pink” Motorcycle Run, but riders still turned out in droves in their best pink outfits for the after-party at the Polish American Club of Agawam, raising money for the Mercy Medical Center’s Sister Caritas Cancer Center. Sue Pettorini-D’Amico, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer at Mercy and Johnson Memorial Hospital, appeared on WWLP-TV’s Mass Appeal to explain how mammograms can detect breast cancer at its earliest stages when it is most treatable. Sarah J. McPartland, M.D., MS, FACS, Medical Director of the Center for Breast Health and Gynecologic Oncology at Mercy, authored an article about the role of family history in a women’s risk of breast cancer and the latest treatments, which appeared in the Better Health section of the Sunday edition of The Republican in Springfield.

In Waterbury, Saint Mary’s Hospital colleagues and breast surgeons were happy to join several events in the greater Waterbury area including the Farmingbury Women’s Club Annual Breast Cancer Awareness event, the “Are You Dense Annual For the Girls and Guys” fundraiser, and Quilts that Care’s fundraisers. Nicole Sookhan, M.D., Breast Surgeon, spoke at the Farmingbury Women’s Club event about updates to breast cancer care, including genetic testing. The culminating event was the annual Pink Out event held at Waterbury City Hall. Pink Out, a citywide campaign of awareness and fundraising, brings together Saint Mary’s leaders, elected officials, area students, and others, with 100 percent of the proceeds raised going to the Saint Mary’s Foundation’s Breast Screening Fund, which provides screening tests to hundreds of women annually in the greater Waterbury area. 

Additionally, Trinity Health Of New England Medical Group locations across the region invited all colleagues to wear pink on National Mammography Day on October 18 to emphasize the importance of screening mammograms.

Trinity Health Of New England encourages all women to be proactive about their breast health. Talk to your provider and find out how you can schedule your annual mammogram by visiting www.TrinityHealthOfNE.org/Breast.