FULTON – As Ashley Gardner was doing her daily breast self-exam she noticed a rather prominent lump that seemed to develop quickly. She knew she would need medical assistance but with no health insurance she didn’t know where to turn to. That’s when she remembered conversations she had with Lisa Dwello at Planned Parenthood about the Cancer Services Program of the North Country, which is administered by Oswego County Opportunities (OCO).
“Lisa was amazing. I believe her listening to my concerns and taking them seriously really saved my life,” said Gardner. “When she told me about the Cancer Services Program of the North Country, it sounded too good to be true. When I reached out to the program I was surprised at how easy it was. The program returned my call immediately and after speaking with the staff, I realized the Cancer Services Program had the answers I was looking for.”
Christina Wallace, a cancer survivor herself, and the Case Manager for the Cancer Services Program of the North Country, knew exactly what to do and immediately began assessing Cardwell’s needs.
After having a breast ultrasound and a breast biopsy, both paid for by the program, Gardner was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following 16 rounds of chemotherapy and a double mastectomy she had a complete pathological response and now is cancer free. She will soon begin precautionary daily radiation treatments and immunotherapy. “My chemotherapy, mastectomy and now radiation and immunotherapy will be covered through a program called the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program (MCTP) that the Cancer Services Program of the North Country was able to enroll me into. Christina was marvelous,” said Gardner. “She explained MCTP and walked me through the application in less than 20 minutes! She made things very simple for me to understand and complete.” For additional information about the Medicaid Cancer Treatment Program visit https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/treatment/mctp/
“I don’t know where I’d be today if not for the help I received from Christina and everyone at the Cancer Services Program,” said Gardner. The program really is a life-saver. If not for Christina’s knowledge and support I would not have been able to receive the medical treatment I needed. I would have been lost without her. Even now that I am cancer free Christina and the Cancer Services Program is still there for me. They are quick to answer any questions I have and have ensured that I will have financial assistance for the ongoing treatments I will be having in 2025 at the Walker Cancer Center here in Watertown.”
With mammograms recommended for women age 40 and over, Gardner had only one mammogram prior to being diagnosed. After her experience Gardner suggests women do not wait until 40 to have mammograms. “I can’t impress enough how important self-breast exams are and knowing how to properly do one. And while the benefits of self-exams are many, why wait until the age of 40 to have your first mammogram?”
The Cancer Services Program of the North Country can ensure that women, especially those with no insurance, can receive regular mammograms and other cancer screenings without the financial burden.
“I encourage women to learn more about the Cancer Services Program of the North Country and discover the knowledge and support its caring and compassionate staff can provide. It was comforting to know my family and I did not have to go through this alone, and the financial assistance they found made it possible for me to receive the medical treatment I needed,” said Gardner.
Adminstered by OCO, the Cancer Services Program of the North Country provides free cancer screenings including clinical breast exams, mammograms, pap/pelvic exams and colorectal cancer screenings to community members who are uninsured and between 40 and 64 years of age. For more information on the Cancer Services Program Partnership of the North Country contact Carolyn Handville at 315-592-0830 or visit OCO’s website at www.oco.org or follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/oco.free.cancer.screenings
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