Free Holiday Health Checks for Women

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY – Nine health clinics in Oklahoma City are offering appointments until Christmas for qualifying patients needing free breast and cervical cancer screenings. The clinics are part of the Take Charge! program at the University of Oklahoma College of Nursing.

 “Women often take care of everyone else in their families and don’t take care of themselves. This is a chance to do something meaningful,” said Jennifer Stammer, coordinator of the Take Charge! program at the OU College of Nursing. “Take Charge is a free service for women who don’t have insurance in Oklahoma, but want to receive cancer screenings as part of their health care. Regular screenings for cancer and other diseases are vital for women, especially since finding cancer in its earliest stages can mean the difference between life and death.”

The Take Charge! program is Oklahoma’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. It is funded in part by a $200,000 grant from the Central Oklahoma Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Take Charge! Clinics Offered in November and December by OU College of Nursing:

Nov. 12

OU College of Nursing

1100 N Stonewall Ave., Room 232

Nov. 13

Crossings Community Clinic

2208 W Hefner Rd. 

Nov. 16 

Latina – Ramirez Center

222 NW 12 

Nov. 17 

OU College of Nursing 

Nov. 18

ROC Medical Center

7710 NW 10 

Nov. 23 

Baptist Community Clinic

Olivet Baptist Church

1201 NW 10 

Dec. 1 

Dr. Bruce Bell’s Office

4200 S May Ave. 

Dec. 3 

Clinica de la Mujer Latina

420 SW 10 

Dec. 9 

OU Breast Institute

OU Physician’s Building

825 NE 10, Suite 3500 

Dec. 11 

Crossings Community Clinic

2208 W Hefner Rd. 

Dec. 14-15 

OU College of Nursing 

Dec. 16 

ROC Medical Center

7710 NW 10 

Dec. 17 

Latina – Ramirez Center

222 NW 12 

Call 271-2124 to make an appointment or for more information. 

For 2009, there are new requirements for the Take Charge! program. They are listed below: 

Age:

Ages 50 – 64 (Will receive an annual free mammogram and a free pap test every two years)

Ages 40 – 49 (Must have breast symptoms to be seen)

Ages 35 – 49 (Must not have had a pap test in the last 5 years in order to be seen)

Ages 35 – 49 (Must have had a hysterectomy due to cervical cancer or pre-cancer to be seen) 

Insurance:

Women must not have insurance or have insurance with a high deductible. In addition, they must not be covered by Medicare or Medicaid. 

Income:

Women must earn only 185 percent or below of the federal poverty level.