Friday, June 18, 2010

Two local health systems collaborate on breast cancer care, video

If you’re planning to participate in the Brainerd Lakes Area Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure on June 26, you may see some filming of a new video on breast cancer that features two Race competitors.

Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (CRMC) in Crosby, who are engaging in a friendly competition for the largest team for the Komen Race, are teaming up to produce a new “Pink Scrubs” video that will be launched in the fall. It will showcase the joint efforts and commitment of both medical communities, and other Aitkin and Crosby-based healthcare organizations, to enhance services for breast cancer patients.

Affiliated with the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute™ of Allina Hospitals & Clinics based in Minneapolis, Riverwood and CRMC will soon be bringing new technologies to treat breast cancer patients. Both medical facilities are devoting significant resources toward enhancing local oncology care and launching several new services, including stereotactic breast biopsy, a non-surgical method of assessing a breast abnormality.

The “Pink Scrubs” video is the brainchild of Lisa Slepica, Assistant Director of Nursing at CRMC and a breast cancer survivor. It will feature members of both medical communities, as well as residents of Aitkin and Crosby at large. Dressed in pink hospital scrubs (hot pink for Crosby and basic pink for Aitkin), video participants will enthusiastically show their support for the cause.

“Breast cancer is such an important cause,” Slepica says. “Both medical communities care passionately about this health issue and breast cancer patients and survivors.”

Amy Renner, Riverwood Breast Health Care Coordinator, adds: “This video is one part of a comprehensive team effort between Riverwood and CRMC to educate the public about breast cancer awareness and advanced technologies we are jointly making available close to home for our patients.”

Shooting for the video begins on the Komen Race day and will continue throughout the summer and early fall. It will debut in both Crosby and Aitkin, and online, in October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Aitkin: Liz Dean, Riverwood Healthcare, (218) 927-5555, ldean@sisunet.org
Crosby: Todd Bymark, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, (218) 546-4322, tbymark@sisunet.org