SHERIDAN – Sheridan Memorial Hospital Foundation is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a 2024 Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative (WBCI) Community Grant in the amount of $10,000. The grant, funded through WBCI’S partnership with the Wyoming Department of Health, Wyoming Cancer Program, will support the ongoing educational efforts of the hospital’s Welch Cancer Center.
As a rural community hospital, Sheridan Memorial Hospital recognizes the importance of providing top-notch care to its patients. This amazing grant will provide crucial support for two vital areas within our community: supporting our Welch Cancer Center’s Nurse Navigator and for Sheridan Memorial Hospital and The Foundation to provide awareness and educational events throughout the community.
The Nurse Navigator plays a vital role in our mission, guiding patients through their cancer journey and ensuring they receive the necessary support and resources. The grant will allow Welch Cancer Center’s nurse navigator, Lori Karajanis, to attend essential training to enhance her skills and bring back global best practices to the Welch Cancer Center. Lori is a pivotal part of our cancer patients’ journey and supports each patient and their loved ones in identifying gaps, barriers, or needs along the way. To learn more about Lori, we encourage you to read “What is an Oncology Nurse Navigator” at sheridanhospital.org/nurse-navigator/
Funds will also be utilized for community awareness and education about cancer screening and early detection. This funding will allow the organization to host a series of events aimed at educating the community about the importance of early detection in the fight against cancer. This includes Pink Night at the WYO Rodeo where staff provide cooling towels that include cancer screening and early detection awareness to rodeo fans on one of the hottest days of the year. Awareness and education will be prevalent at The Foundation’s Link – Partners in Pink event, held annually on the third Saturday in October. Educational materials and opportunities are also being developed for all ages and meeting each patient where they are at in their healthcare journey.
In a statement, the Foundation’s Director of Donor Relations, Ada Kirven, expressed her gratitude for the grant, saying, “We are incredibly grateful for this funding, which will enable us to continue providing excellent patient-centered care, right here at home. This grant will not only benefit Lori in her professional development but will also make a positive difference in the care our entire team provides to every patient she serves. Our partnership with WBCI has created incredible services for our patients and people of our community. From the Breast Boutique to the educational opportunities we have been able to develop, these funds have been vital to a positive patient experience in what can be a very vulnerable, challenging time for patients and their loved ones. We are so fortunate to have a dedicated organization here in Wyoming, focused on breast cancer care throughout our entire state.”
To learn more about WBCI and their inspiring work around the state visit their website at wyomingbreastcancer.org.
There are so many great resources for patients, friends, families, caretakers and survivors of cancer – right here at home. To connect with Lori and our team at the Welch Cancer Center visit sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/welch-cancer-center or our cancer support services at sheridanhospital.org/medical-services/welch-cancer-center/cancer-support-services