CARIBOU, Maine — The Jefferson Cary Foundation, (JCF), a non-profit organization raising funds to improve health care services in Aroostook County, recently presented Cary Medical Center with a $40,292 donation to be used toward the purchase of a new state-of-the-art Tomosynthesis, or 3D imaging mammography unit, in the hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center.
The donation represents proceeds from the foundation’s Annual Cary Classic Golf Tournament held the past several years.
According to Dr. Shawn Laferriere, the new 3-D mammography unit provides a more comfortable and advanced wide-angle 3D mammogram ensuring that patients get the best imaging results possible. Dr. Laferriere, a member of the JCF Board of Directors and Medical Director of Radiology at the Caribou hospital, said the new unit has already been installed in the hospital’s Women’s Imaging Center, with plans for it to be operational on Oct. 12.
Unlike traditional mammography, the new unit takes multiple pictures of breast tissue, creating three-dimensional images for the radiologist to interpret, and can be used for both screening tests and diagnostic exams, Laferriere said. 3D imaging can detect abnormalities that may be hidden in dense breast tissue or folds due to compression during a traditional mammogram; it increases early detection of breast disease, decreases false positives reducing unnecessary biopsies or additional tests and provides greater accuracy in determining the exact size, shape and location of any abnormalities, he explained.
Pam Scheppele, president of the JCF board of directors, commented, “Our board members are so pleased to be able to support this project, and for anyone involved with our golf tournament; our sponsors, players, volunteers and the Caribou Country Club, we can’t thank you enough for helping to make this happen.”
According to Tamra Kilcollins, JCF executive director, plans are already underway for the 38th annual Cary Classic on Saturday, July 9, 2022.
“After cancelling last year’s event due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were so excited to host the tournament this past summer,” Kilcollins said. “It’s a special tournament that’s built a tradition over more than three decades, and is such a wonderful event that continues to support our patients and communities in Aroostook County.”
The Jefferson Cary Foundation was established in 1993 and is managed by a volunteer board of directors. Through the generosity and support of many donors, the Foundation provides funding for health care related projects and equipment that benefit all those served by Cary Medical Center. Three past hospital projects supported by the Foundation include the additions of the Women’s Imaging Center, the Pines Center for Women’s & Children’s Health and the Jefferson Cary Cancer Center.
For more information please visit the Cary Medical Center website Giving page at https://www.carymedicalcenter.org/about-cary/jefferson-cary-foundation/ways-to-give/ or call the Foundation office at 207-493-4849 or email jcf@carymed.org.
