We Care Manatee Awarded $10,000 Grant by Barbells for Boobs

SARASOTA, Fla. - March 11, 2015 - PRLog -- We Care Manatee – a non-profit organization committed to addressing the healthcare needs of low-income, uninsured residents – was awarded a $10,000 grant from Barbells for Boobs (BFB) to support and expand breast health services for patients under the age of 40. We Care Manatee is one of only two organizations in Florida to receive funding from the California-based organization. "We are proud to award We Care Manatee with funding to provide breast health services to Manatee residents under the age of 40, regardless of their gender or financial situation,” said Robyn Bennett, Mission Vice President and Acting President for BFB. “Together, we will be able to propel our mission to ensure everyone has a right to know if they are living with breast cancer."

Jill Gass, Executive Director of We Care Manatee, learned about BFB in 2013 through an event supporting the non-profit at her CrossFit™ gym. Since then, she has maintained communication with the organization about our needs here in Manatee County. In 2014, Gass was encouraged to apply for funding by Bennett. We Care Manatee was notified in December 2014 that funding was approved and to begin providing services January 1, 2015. “I’m proud on a personal level to receive this funding, as it merges two of my passions together,” said Gass. “CrossFit, which provides me with a generous and close-knit community, and We Care Manatee, where I am always working to improve the lives of others.”

The funding provided by BFB can be used on qualified patients searching for help receiving a breast ultrasound, mammogram, surgical consultation, biopsy or MRI. Patients must be low income, residing in Manatee County, medically uninsured or underinsured, and under the age of 40. “Barbells for Boobs is extremely excited about our recent partnership with We Care Manatee,” said Bennett. “Both organizations share a common commitment to the underserved and working to ensure they have access to the healthcare they deserve in their local community.”

We Care Manatee works with more than 100 Manatee County physicians, who donate their time and services to provide much-needed medical treatment for local residents. Through their efforts, the programs offered by the non-profit include Free Primary Care, Pharmaceutical Assistance, Specialty Physician Referrals, Breast Health & Wellness, and Vasectomy Procedures.

For more information on We Care Manatee, please visit www.WeCareManatee.org or call 941-755-3952.

About We Care Manatee

We Care Manatee was founded by the Manatee Medical Society in 1999 to address the increasing need of uninsured residents to be seen and treated by a medical specialist. Since then, We Care Manatee physicians have provided over $8 million in donated care to patients who would otherwise go without. For information, contact Info@WeCareManatee.org.

About Barbells for Boobs

Barbells for Boobs is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the early detection of breast cancer, with an emphasis on women under the age of 40. Associated with and inspired by athletes everywhere, local communities come together to fundraise and help detect potentially life threatening breast cancer occurrences to ensure everyone has a right to know if they are living with breast cancer. For more information, visit barbellsforboobs.org.

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