Access to cancer screenings and care will soon become easier for the people of Central Alabama thanks to Driving HOPE, a new mobile cancer screening and education unit that Montgomery Cancer Center is putting into place. The self-contained, 37-foot unit will provide underserved communities with cancer screenings, outreach, prevention, and education services. Driving HOPE (Health, Outreach, Prevention, and Education) will increase healthcare accessibility for Central Alabamians, including low income, rural, minority, and vulnerable populations. The mobile unit will be staffed by Montgomery Cancer Center medical professionals who will serve twelve counties within Montgomery Cancer Center’s service area. These counties are: Autauga, Bullock, Butler, Chilton, Crenshaw, Dallas, Elmore, Lowndes, Macon, Montgomery, Pike and Wilcox. In addition to serving these areas, Driving Hope will be available at many community events throughout the tri-county area.
Accessibility to healthcare is one of the greatest challenges facing the State of Alabama and The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) has identified cancer as the second leading cause of death in the state. Early detection is crucial in the fight against cancer, and Driving Hope will help provide just that for thousands of people across Central Alabama, thereby improving their chance of survival. Early detection screenings will be paired with education, including the use of realistic visual models such as, breast tissue, healthy vs. unhealthy lungs, which will empower people to invest in their own health and aid in prevention efforts.
Driving Hope would not be possible without the generous contributions of corporate sponsors such as the Alabama Power Foundation, ALFA Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Daniel Foundation, Hyundai Motor Manufacturing, and the Joy to Life Foundation. Thanks to these donors, the Baptist Health Care Foundation has already secured nearly $200,000 to help make Driving Hope a reality for the people of Central Alabama. After having raised more than half of the funds needed to bring this project to fruition, there is now an opportunity for everyone to be involved in helping Drive Hope in our community. The Baptist Health Care Foundation invites the public to learn more and play a role in this impactful community initiative by visiting: https://baptistfoundation.org/.