Bates County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) is celebrating an outpouring of community support during the 2025 Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraising efforts for the BCMH Cares Mammogram Fund. The fund helps provide screening mammograms for women in the area who are uninsured, ensuring cost is never a barrier to early detection.
“Our community showed up in an incredible way this year,” said Christi
Pope, RT, R, M, Director of Imaging Services at BCMH. “From our local school
pink events to internal fundraising efforts, every contribution helps us give
women access to lifesaving screenings.”
BCMH employees also participated in two internal fundraisers: a 50/50
raffle and the Wall of Hope ribbon display.
· 50/50 Raffle: Won
by Brenda Thornburg, BCMH Housekeeper, who received $95, with another $95
donated to the BCMH Cares Fund.
· Ribbon Sales: $62
Community support extended beyond the hospital. The Butler Bears Go
Pink Volleyball event contributed $930, with additional funds from the Miami
Eagles Go Pink Volleyball event to be announced soon.
This year’s largest donation came through Healthy Blue (a
MO HealthNet Managed Care plan and Missouri Medicaid product), who generously
contributed a $5,000 grant to the BCMH Cares Fund. The donation was initiated
by Lillian Colburn, Provider Network Manager for Healthy Blue and a Butler Bear
alumnus, who recalls helping raise funds for BCMH Cares during her high school
years. Lillian’s initiative to include BCMH Cares as a grant recipient
continues her longstanding support for local women’s health. BCMH is grateful
for her personal dedication. The $5,000 donation will directly support
mammograms for local women who otherwise may not have access to screening
services.
“BCMH appreciates Healthy Blue’s support and collaboration in
improving the health and lives of people throughout Missouri,” said Pope.
“Together, we’re giving women in our community hope through early detection.”
For more information about the BCMH Cares Mammogram Fund, visit https://bcmhospital.com/bcmh-cares/
