San Antonio breast cancer news

WINGS PROGRAM RECOGNIZED FOR IMPROVING QUALITY OF CARE, REDUCING HEALTHCARE COSTS THROUGH BREAST CANCER TREATMENT INITIATIVE

Case study to be included in national database of better practices in community-based health initiatives

(San Antonio, Texas) – Residents of San Antonio, Texas are receiving higher quality healthcare, thanks to a program from WINGS.
   WINGS Breast Cancer Treatment for Uninsured Women has been recognized as an example of excellence in community health improvement programming and is included in the www.leadinghealthycommunities.com (LHC) online library of better practices case studies.
   “Having reviewed hundreds of case studies, the WINGS Breast Cancer Treatment for Uninsured Women was determined to be first in class. We are pleased to include WINGS in our library of case studies, it represents an example of excellence in community collaboration and health improvement and provides a blueprint for other communities to follow when launching their own health improvement efforts.” said Jon Comola, CEO of WRGH (Wye River Group on Healthcare) the parent organization for LHC.
   LHC provides visitors with a searchable database of successful case studies, as well the resources and tools to help community leaders implement health improvement programs in their own community. Visit us at www.leadinghealthycommunities.com.
   Founded by two breast cancer survivors in 1999, WINGS provides breast cancer treatment to uninsured women in South and Central Texas. The program offers comprehensive breast cancer screening and treatment at no charge to the patient. As of Dec. 31, 2007, WINGS has provided 847 women with screening of which 416 were diagnosed with breast cancer and received treatment.
   LHC features a unique advance search function which enables case studies to be researched using a wide range of variables, such as funding sources, health topics, target age groups, ethnicity, gender, region of the country, and population size. Subject matters cover a diverse range of health related topics from access to care to improved collaboration, prenatal and maternal care, and chronic disease management.
   The website also includes tools to support community leaders in taking proper steps to implement similar health improvement programs in their communities. Resources include: a step-by-step Action Guide to help plan, launch and maintain initiatives, business plan templates, resources to funding and community assessment tools and more.

2007 Annual Report to Donors

January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2007

From the Directors. . .

WINGS reached a milestone in December when the 400th patient was enrolled in the program. At year end, a total of 416 uninsured women with breast had benefited from our services.
   We are encouraged to see more and women enter our program with early stage cancer, compared to our early years when we were seeing on Stage III and Stage IV disease. Anecdotal evidence shows that, because of WINGS, more women are taking advantage of early detection screening programs.
   A recent study published by the American Cancer Society shows that uninsured patients are twice as likely to die from the disease compared to those with insurance. We believe that WINGS is helping to reverse this trend. The five-year survival rates for WINGS patients is higher than the national average reported by the American College of Surgeons.
   While there always seems to be more need just around the corner, our fundraising efforts continue to keep pace with our growth. As always, we appreciate all those who continue to believe in WINGS and support our life-saving mission.

Kathryn L. Safford MD
Medical Director

Terri Bronocco Jones
Executive Director

Patient Summary

In November 2007, WINGS admitted its 400th woman into the program. She was one of the record 99 women admitted in 2007, a 30 percent increase over 2006 admissions. In its eight-year history, WINGS has extended life-saving services to 416 women in Central and South Texas helping to bridge the gap between diagnosis and survival.

“Thank you for offering to pay for the radiation. This gives me a tremendous relief and a deep hope that everything will work out for the best.”

Our bilingual patient navigator continues to be a valuable component to our services and is a benchmark for patient navigation in the breast cancer community. In 2007, she assisted 276 Spanish-speaking women and their families.

Enrollment Summary

By the end of 2007, 53 of WINGS patients had been diagnosed with recurrent metastatic disease since their original admission. Regrettably, four women lost their fight against this disease during the past 12 months. Despite this, WINGS five-year survival rates remain higher than the national average* due, in part, to WINGS II's on-going follow-up surveillance program and the proactive work of our patient navigator.

“No words are enough to express my deep gratitude for saving my life.”

During 2007, WINGS also added a prophylactic dental program to the services offered. Through a unique arrangement with the UT Health Science Center Dental School WINGS can assist women who need dental care prior to beginning chemotherapy. Also, during 2007, WINGS aggressively expanded its services throughout Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties thanks to a grant from the Austin Affiliate of Komen for the Cure. In the last nine months of 2007, WINGS added five new patients from this area bringing the total of women served in those counties to 34.

Expense Summary

WINGS expenses for patient care increased 59% in 2007 reflecting the increased number of patients enrolled. Across-the-board average of patient expenses is less than $5,000 per patient.

Expense Summary

Our cash income was $1,106,665, a 24.2% increase from 2006, in part, due to a generous grant from the Lillian B. Groves Trust. This gift will serve as the foundation of WINGS new endowment fund. A gift to this fund will help ensure a lifetime of care for the women we serve. Our board member, Christopher Pettit, can assist you in structuring your will or estate to give the gift of life to WINGS patients through this endowment.

Our Eighth Anniversary Celebrtion of Life and Hope was held on Sept. 15, 2007, at the Rivercenter Marriott. Leslie Mouton served as emcee and entertainment was provided by Rick Cavender Band. This “trip to Paris” grossed more than $120,000 to benefit WINGS programs. We are very grateful to the Frost Bank “A Team,” which handled auction check-out in such a professional and expeditious manner.

“You all have given me a second chance at life and I love you dearly. You all are the wind beneath my wings.”

WINGS could not help keep the promise of life and hope to the more than 400 women in the program without the continued support of its Provider Network. The more than 200 healthcare professionals and facilities are the backbone of our operation. We thank each and every one of you for your commitment to our mission.

As always, we could not get by without the continued support of our initial funders – Methodist Healthcare Ministries, Methodist Healthcare System and Komen for the Cure – San Antonio Affiliate. Each year, we add new foundations and corporations to our list of supporters and, for that, we are grateful.

However, it is the day-in and day-out generosity of individual donors that makes the work of WINGS possible. Your continued support ensures that no woman in our community will die from breast cancer because she cannot afford insurance.

2007 FOUNDATION & CORPORATE DONORS

Amy Lang's Angels
Astra Zeneca
Christus Foundation
Frontera Exploration
Frost Bank
Game. Set. Cure.
Genevieve & Ward Orsinger Foundation
Golf San Antonio
Hard Rock Cafe
H-E-B
HolyBears Inc.
Komen for the Cure (Austin Affiliate)
Komen for the Cure (San Antonio Affiliate)
Lane Foundation
McCombs Foundation
Methodist Healthcare Ministries
Methodist Healthcare System
Mirza Foundation
Novak Foundation
Pecan Creek Campground
Pfizer Inc.
San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association
San Antonio Junior Forum
South Texas Pathology Associates
Summers Trust
Traditions Lifestyle
USAA Federal Savings Bank
Women's Club of San Antonio
Zachry Construction Corp.
Zachry Foundation

November/December 2007 Newsletter

Angel Sale Wrapping Up

The San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association is still raising money to benefit WINGS and five other charities. Association members offer deeply discounted room certificates and 100 percent of all money raised through this sale goes directly to the charities. Last year, WINGS received $11,000 from this organization.
  The good news is that SAHLA still has an ample supply of room night certificates remaining in the downtown area and also at great locations near the shopping hot spots that everyone loves to hit during the holidays.
   Why not make it an evening of fun on the river and looking at the glorious lighting? You have many options for your overnight stay. Just to name a few. . .There are certificates for the Marriott Rivercenter, Sheraton Gunter, St. Anthony-Wyndham, Hilton Palacio del Rio, Hyatt Riverwalk, the historic Menger, Holiday Inn Riverwalk and at Market Square, plus the Radisson at Market Square. The Crowne Plaza Riverwalk Hotel is the newest addition to this list.
   Near the huge and inviting North Star, available lodging includes the Hilton Airport, Holiday Inn Select, DoubleTree and the Crowne Plaza Airport in the full service category and La Quinta and Microtel in the limited service group.
   Near the Shops at La Cantera are the Omni at the Colonnade, Marriott Northwest plus the Baymont by La Quinta and the Courtyard Medical Center as limited service possibilities. Take a few minutes to check out the bargains and remember, you pay NO tax on the certificates and, 100 percent of your purchase will go directly to SAHLA’s 2007 charities.
  To take advantage of these opportunities, visit the SAHLA at www.sanantonio-lodging.org/shop.

Every Day is Thanksgiving
Your support of WINGS and our mission brings life, hope and gratitude to the women we serve. Currently, more than 400 women have been enrolled in the program since its inception in October 1999. We receive letters throughout the year but at this time of thanksgiving, blessings and miracles we want to share some with you. These are the women and their families your gifts support.

Thank you so much for caring so much about someone with so little in life like me. I will not be able to make it this far without you. Dr. Safford and Dr. Lang are the best doctors I’ve ever met in my entire life. They give me so much hope and inspire me to sight this deadly disease. You have been my angels. One night in September, I felt so hopeless and offered a silent prayer to God. He answered my prayer. WINGS saved me from death. Because of your goodness, I didn’t have to say good-bye to my family and one day soon, I know I will survive this disease. Again, thanks to all of you.

Just a few words to “Thank You” for everything WINGS has done for me. You all have given me a second chance and life and I love you dearly. You all are the wind beneath my wings. I’ve decided to return to school and give nursing another try. It’s a long way before I start working at a cancer institute but thanks to you guys I have a long time to work on that goal.

Thank you for offering to pay for the radiation! This gives me a tremendous relief and a deep hope that everything will works out for the best, eventually. I feel a strong connection with every women who has ever had breast cancer. We have been blessed with the realization that life is fragile. Every day is a bonus. The sunsets are now more spectacular, the smiles from others are more radiant and the encouragement from others is so much more appreciated. I look forward to the day when I once again have my feet firmly planted on the shore, so that I can throw a rope to someone else in need.

No words are enough to express how deep my gratitude to WINGS is for saving my life. To all of you, may God bless you always as you bless the lives of so many patients life me. Without you, there’s no way I could have survived. And to Sandy and Alice and all of you, thank you for being so nice to me.

risk, courage, and women contemporary voices in prose and poetry
This is a very special collection of narratives, essays and poetry by women throughout the United States who answered the questions:
   “When have you taken a risk that changed your life?” “When has someone you know or admire taken a risk that changed her life?”
   The book was edited by three dynamic San Antonio women — Karen A. Waldron, Janice H. Brazil and Laura M. Labatt. Published in September by University of North Texas Press the book has been selling well at private signings, the Twig Bookstore, Amazon.com and on the WINGS web site.
   All net proceeds from book sales are donated to WINGS to help bring hope, life and courage to the women we serve. This is an ideal gift to share with a young woman beginning her own journey or anyone who just needs a little inspiration and encouragement.
   The soft cover book is $19.95 plus $2.00 shipping. WINGS accepts MasterCard, Discover and Visa, as well as personal checks. You may call the WINGS office at 210-946-9464 for more ordering information. You can also support WINGS through a $500 gift to underwrite the purchase of 40 books. This allows WINGS to keep 100 percent of the sales price for use in treating uninsured women in our communities. Contact Terri Jones for details.
   If you would like to meet some of the authors and the editors why don’t you attend the upcoming book signing? December 12, 2008 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Home of Patsy Steves 501 Grandview Place Terrell Hills

Thank You
WINGS would like to thank three new “Friends of WINGS” who hosted fundraising events this past October.
   Kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness month Brighton Collectibles in the San Marcos Outlet Mall, hosted a breakfast for WINGS supporters. A portion of the sales every piece of Brighton “Power of Pink” jewelry sold during October, will be contributed to WINGS. We are still awaiting the final results of this promotion.
   The first weekend in October found WINGS volunteers and supporters on hand for the first “Camping for the Cause” at Pecan Park Campground in San Marcos. J. David Rowley garnered unprecedented support for a first-year project. From the “Almost Patsy Cline Band” to the WINGS folks who directed traffic (David and Daryle, that’s you!), this event raised in excess of $7,000 for WINGS patient care. These funds are earmarked to support patients in Hays, Caldwell and Bastrop counties.
   Another first-year supporter was the Hard Rock Cafй in San Antonio. Nationally, Hard Rock supports the Breast Cancer Foundation during the month of October. WINGS was chosen as its local charity. A benefit performance by Griffin House, a drawing for an autographed acoustic guitar and a voluntary cover charge all added up to more than $3,500 raised by the Hard Rock’s Tirey Thomas and the excellent wait staff and hosts.
   We also want to thank the San Antonio and Austin Affiliates of Komen for the Cure, as well Methodist Healthcare Ministries. Their increasing levels of support allow us continue assisting even greater numbers of uninsured women diagnosed with breast cancer throughout Central and South Texas.

Help us "Spread the Word!"

WINGS has just been registered on GoodSearch, a search engine powered by Yahoo. GoodSearch has been featured in OPRAH Magazine, ABC News, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Fortune.
   Starting today WINGS will receive a direct donation every time one of our supporters uses GoodSearch to search the Internet.
   This is an amazing new opportunity to raise money every day at no cost to WINGS.
   GoodSearch is the search engine with a unique social mission. It's powered by Yahoo, so you get the same great search results. The company donates 50% of advertising revenue to the nonprofits and schools selected by its users.
   Now you can make a difference in the lives of many people, simply by changing the way you search the Internet!
   Click to download the GoodSearch toolbar and get started now -http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbars.aspx
Word of mouth is the most powerful messenger. Please ask everyone you know to download the GoodSearch toolbar and begin raising money today.
   If just 100 WINGS supporters search the Internet twice a day we will receive $730 a year.
   People must use GoodSearch in order for WINGS to earn money. How much money is raised will depend on how well you can help us spread the word to our supporters. Follow these most effective ways to get started now: Send an email to spread the word to all of your friends, family and supporters. Here’s a sample that you can customize.
   “What if WINGS earned a penny every time you searched the Internet? Well, now we can! GoodSearch.com is a new search engine that donates ad revenue, about a penny per search, to the charity its users designate. Use it just like any search engine, and it’s powered by Yahoo!, so you get the same great results. Just go to www.goodsearch.com and enter WINGS as the organization you want to support. Just 500 of us searching four times a day will raise about $7300 in a year without anyone spending a dime! Please spread the word!

Get started right now and download the GoodSearch toolbar - http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbars.aspx

Make GoodSearch the homepage on all computers in your company or school. http://www.goodsearch.com/MakeHomepage.aspx

Add a logo and link to GoodSearch on your website. http://www.goodsearch.com/Logo.aspx

Thank you again for using GoodSearch!

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