Closing the Gap

Detroit is one of eight cities with the highest mortality rates when it comes to breast cancer. The Karmanos Cancer Institute recently hosted the Komen Community Challenge to help “close the gap” and collectively bring the city together to come up with solutions on how to address this issue. The Pistons and National City are doing their part to help “close the gap” for low-income women, women of color and those without insurance. The two organizations announced their donation of $20,000 for 50 low-income individuals to receive diagnostic mammograms. Each mammogram costs $400 and keeping in line with the Komen Challenge the Detroit Pistons and National City challenges others to donate what they can so that more people in need can receive these mammograms.

On hand to present Dr. John Ruckdeschel, President and CEO of the Karmanos Cancer Institute, with the check for $20,000 was Detroit Shock player Cheryl Ford, and Deneen Griffin, mother of Pistons forward Amir Johnson. Debbie Saunders, wife of coach Flip Saunders, has also stepped up to the plate and donated $1,000 to the cause.

The Pistons and National City also teamed up to honor survivors of breast cancer at a recent home game. Fifty breast cancer survivors were treated with tickets to the October 24th game and honored at half time with a special presentation. The women were chosen through an online contest where their loved ones nominated them.