A portion of a letter from a mammogram client:
"I am very grateful for your kindness today in providing a mammogram
for me. I am an in-home child care provider. I am not big enough
nor do I make enough money to provide health care for myself. It
is a serious thing to be 54 years old and not have insurance.
Today, I was very surprised at the kindness in which I was treated. Many
times people like myself are frowned upon. I do come from a good
family, keep a clean home and yard, work 55 hours a week keeping
children. I go to Church faithfully, my youngest son is serving
in Iraq for the second time. But say you do not have health insurance
and you are made to feel like you are not a respectable person.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart….I was so touched by your kindness
to me and wanted you to know how very grateful I am not only for the
mammogram, but also for the respect I was given by your staff."
Read More Comments
“Thank you so very much. I really needed these tests with no possible way
of paying for them. I appreciate it more than words can express. God bless.”
“My husband had a heart attack and a double by-pass performed. We had no
insurance at the time and we couldn’t afford any. We now owe over $200,000
in medical bills. Without the Julie Rogers ‘Gift of Life’ Program, neither
of us could afford our mammogram or prostate screening. Cancer runs in our
families.”
“I want to thank you very much for the prostate cancer test. The doctors
and volunteers were very nice and helpful.”
“The Prostate Cancer Awareness Program…was a great success! My husband
and I would like to express our thanks to all. You made us feel so
welcome. Everyone was so professional, but most of all so caring. Thank
you again.”
“I’m very grateful to the people that hosted this event. Thank you very much.”
“A mi me pareció de lo mejor el programa. Nos trataron con mucha
amabilidad los doctores que trataron a la gente.” (In my opinion, I
found the program the best. The doctors who took care of the people
treated us with much kindness.)
“The entire process was very well organized and executed. Thank you
so very much for your help, and the opportunity.”
“Thank you so much for the free prostate exam. Everyone was so nice and
seemed to make everyone comfortable.”
“Excellent!!! Thank you one and all.”
“I would just like to say ‘Thank you’ for this screening. Also, thank
New Life for being such a gracious host.”
“Thanks for bringing the program to Orange County. It provides a much
needed and vital service to an otherwise seemingly forgotten patient base.”
“The clinic in Orange was very well organized. The volunteers all were
friendly and seemed quite dedicated. Thanks to all who made this clinic
possible.”
“The workers in Orange were extremely professional and polite. Thanks
for making us comfortable.”
“Thank you for providing my PSA and also for the valuable information
that was provided. I am a part-time worker and cannot afford to pay
medical expenses for testing.”
“Thank you so much for providing this very important service. I believe
without it, many men would go without testing until it was too
late. Your staff and volunteers were very courteous and knowledgeable.”
“Thank you so much for allowing my husband to have the prostate
screening. I’ve been trying to get him in for four years. Again, thank you.”
“I wish to extend my appreciation to the staff and sponsors of the Julie
Rogers ‘Gift of Life’ Program. As a participant, the courteous
volunteers, medical examiners, and chairman Regina Rogers greeted
me with a warm welcome. The free prostate cancer screening is a
gift to the community. Thank you for your generosity!”
“Thanks for the screening. I didn’t like the idea, but I knew I needed
to come. Give my thanks to all the sponsors.”
“I think your services are great. You fill a great need in the
Golden Triangle. I feel if you were gone, a lot of people
would be in big trouble. Keep up the good work. Thanks so much.”
“Thank you for the prostate screening and for the great work you
are doing. Everything was done in a professional [manner.] Without
this screening, I would not know how my prostate was doing. Thanks again.”
“Thank you so much to all the volunteers who made this test
possible. Wonderful people!”
“We thank you all ever so much for the ‘Gift of Life.’ Without it,
we couldn’t afford to be tested. With services like this, my husband
has a chance of life each year. His father died with prostate
cancer. Thank you all and thanks to all of the sponsors. We are grateful.”
Continued from Breast Cancer Screening Client Comments
“I am thankful and grateful for the ‘Gift of Life’ Program. Without
it, I could not afford this lifesaving x-ray. Everyone is so kind. It
makes you not feel so bad about being poor and having to ask for help. To
everyone who makes this possible, thank you, thank you, thank you….”
“My husband had a heart attack and a double by-pass performed. We had no
insurance at the time and we couldn’t afford any. We now owe over $200,000
in medical bills. Without the Julie Roger ‘Gift of Life’ Program, neither
of us could afford our mammogram or prostate screening. Cancer runs in our families.”
“I recently retired and for the first time in my adult life, I have no medical
insurance. I have a long history of benign breast lesions with subsequent
surgeries. I’ve had a mammogram annually since I was 35 years old. Through
the Julie Rogers ‘Gift of Life’ Program, I can continue my annual screenings. Thank you.”
The name ‘Gift of Life’ says it all! What a wonderful service to provide to a
segment of society that can afford it least! Many thanks!”
“The ‘Gift of Life’ Program is a Godsend to me. I am off from work with a
back injury and I have no insurance. I have a mammogram every year because
my mom died from breast cancer, and I had no idea how I was going to afford
the test. Thank you so much!”
“Even though I didn’t have insurance to have a mammogram, you all were very
nice and gave me the same respect as everyone else. I really appreciate
that a lot. You made me feel right at ease. Thank you very much.”
“I am very pleased with the ‘Gift of Life’ Program. Thank you so very much. It
was a miracle for me because I could not have afforded it otherwise. May God
keep blessing each and every one who helps and gives time and money to this program.”
“I want to say thank you for granting me a free mammogram through the ‘Gift of
Life’ Program. It was such a relief to be accepted and to meet all the
wonderful workers the day of my appointment. I can’t recall ever being
treated so kind and made to feel so special. It was truly an experience
to remember. Thanks.”
“I would like to thank the sponsors of this wonderful program. Without their
help, I don’t know if I could afford to have a mammogram every year. May
God richly bless their efforts.”
“On May 12, 2005, I received a free mammogram through the ‘Gift of Life’
Program. I greatly appreciate the contributions from the individuals
and businesses that donate money toward this organization. I have been
retired through Social Security disability since June 2003. During my
first year of disability I received Medicaid, but this past January,
I received a cost of living raise of $23 and I was taken off of Medicaid
because I collected too much income. I will not be eligible for benefits
again until December of this year. I have many disabilities for which
I take a lot of medicine. I have assistance with my prescriptions, but
without insurance, I cannot afford to keep all of my doctors’ appointments. So
as you can understand, the help that I, and others like myself, receive from a
program like this is appreciated. My thanks go out to everyone who is involved.”
“I thank you very much for the free mammogram I received today. I have been
without insurance for a year because of the loss of a job. Everyone from
the ‘Gift of Life’ and UTMB was very nice and helpful. I thank you again.”
“Thank you so much for this wonderful program. Everyone is so nice and
made me feel welcome and at ease during the test. I would not have been
able to have this test if not for the ‘Gift of Life’ because I have no
insurance. God bless you all.”
“The personnel were very nice and informative. I was warmly welcomed. Thank
you for this special service.”
“I am extremely grateful that this program is available to women
without insurance. I am sure that it saves lives.”
“Every single thing about my appointment was wonderful, more than I ever
expected. The ‘I Love You’ Bear and gift bag was a pleasant surprise. The
nurses were kind and gentle and the ladies at the registration desk were
very thoughtful. When I was first told to get a mammogram, I was
nervous, but you all have eased all of my worries. Thank you for your
kindness and concern.”
“My experience at the mobile van has been wonderful. Each volunteer
was so friendly and helpful. The refreshments were wonderful. This
was my first time with the ‘Gift of Life’ Program and it has been a very
pleasant encounter. I would like to thank each one who has made this
service available to those of us who cannot afford health insurance to
cover the cost of a mammogram.”
“Everyone was friendly on the van. I was glad to have the mammogram
because I had not had one in a couple of years. Thanks for the peace
of mind! If not for this program, I don’t know when I’d be able to have
this exam.”
“I just want to say thank you so much for having the ‘Gift of Life’ for
ladies. It is so important that women have a mammogram. It could head
off some problems or even save someone’s life. May God bless you for
your faithfulness.”
“Everyone had been great! They make you feel pampered and cared
about. Thanks for making this available.”
“Everyone was very professional and courteous. The nurse who performed
the exam explained everything and made my first exam a pleasant experience.”
“Without this program I could not have this done. Thank you.”
“I would like to thank the ‘Gift of Life’ and professional medical
staff that provide this very important service. My husband is disabled
and we have no insurance. This service has allowed me to be tested
in order to save my life.”
“The nurses and all personnel I came in contact with were very friendly
and professional. I greatly appreciate and am most thankful to all of
you who make the Gift of Love and Life available at no cost to those
of us who have little to no income.”
“Yo estoy muy contenta por que existe este programa. Espero que muchas
mujeres…asistan a aserse un mamograma cada año. Y doy muchas gracias
a todo el personal que me atendieron y los negocios que representan
este programa.” (I am very happy this program is available. I hope
many women…obtain a mammogram each year. I thank all the staff who
take care of me and the businesses who sponsor this effort.)
“I am very grateful for this mammography test. I lost my job of 23
years in 2003 because the company went bankrupt, and I have not
had insurance since that time. Again, thank you very much.”
“The program is a Godsend because I do not have insurance. I have
been denied twice. Tests like these are not on the top of my list
since I am struggling to get a new business off the ground. It would
be so easy for someone like me to fall through the cracks. Thank you
for caring.”
“Recently, my husband left my daughter and myself and filed for
divorce. I was awarded my home and land. Now of course, I work
two jobs for bills and food, and still it’s not enough; and since
we don’t qualify for government benefits, health insurance and medical
care is not an option for us. I am so thankful for the ‘Gift of Life’
Program. It is such a wonderful organization. It really is a great
comfort to know that caring people have put together such a ‘true gift.’ Thank
you so much for providing it...I would have never had the resources to
do this myself. Again, thank you for caring, it really does make a difference!”
“Finding myself with no insurance and a limited income, this program
is a great blessing for me. I am impressed and grateful for your gift
of a mammogram. My mother and grandmother died from breast cancer, and
I would not have been able to afford a mammogram if not for this
program! Your professionals and volunteers were as nice as could
be. Thank you so much.”
“I am very grateful for your kindness today in providing a mammogram for
me. I am an in-home childcare provider. I am not big enough nor do I
make enough money to provide health care for myself. It is a serious
thing to be 54 years old and not have insurance. Today, I was very
surprised at the kindness with which I was treated. Many times people
like myself are frowned upon. I do come from a good family, keep a
clean home and yard, and work 55 hours a week keeping children. I
go to Church faithfully and my youngest son is serving in Iraq for
the second time. But say you do not have health care and you are
made to feel like you are not a respectable person. Thank you from
the bottom of my heart. I was so touched by your kindness and want
you to know how very grateful I am, not only for the mammogram, but
also for the respect that I received from your staff.”
“I am truly grateful for the opportunity that you have given me. I
know that due to a very fixed income, I would not have had a
mammogram. Although the results were nothing to be concerned
about, thank God, they could have been and I would not have
known except for through the generosity of all who provide
this service and make it available to those of us who have need.”
“The ‘Gift of Life’ Program helped me to have a mammogram where
otherwise I could not have afforded to have one. This is a great
service to someone like me, who needs help sometimes. I appreciate
this very much.”
“All my life whenever I have had to get food stamps, file for
unemployment or anything of that nature, I have always had the
feeling that people thought of me like a lower human being, not
worthy of talking to. With the ‘Gift of Life,’ it is more than
a true gift. I felt special, perfectly normal, kept my dignity
and was delightfully surprised with the way everybody was
made to feel welcome and special. There is a beautiful gift
of love and humanity in this organization.”
“I am very thankful for the ‘Gift of Life’ Program. I am 51, single, and
was laid off from my job a year and a half ago. I am now working at a
low paying job and do not have health insurance. My mother had breast
cancer, so I really appreciate the mammogram I received.”
“I wish to thank the sponsors of the ‘Gift of Life.’ I would not be able
to have this test if not for you. I lost a friend to breast cancer; she
had no insurance and could not afford a mammogram, so I know the importance
of being tested. Again, thank you.”
“A quien pueda interesar: No tengo palabras para expresar mi agradecimientos, a
todas las personas que nos atendieron; ellas fueron muy amables. Le doy gracias a
Dios por tener personas de tan buen corazon. Que Dios las vendiga. Muchas gracias.”
“In all of my years of going to medical facilities, I have never felt so welcome and
cared about. The people were so nice and explained everything. Thank you so much for
helping the women who are unable to do so on their own….”