Our Cause

The JACBCC

The breast cancer mortality rate in the Mahoning Valley is among the highest in the nation. 100% of your sponsorship dollars go directly to the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley to support the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center (JACBCC) at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

The Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center:

  • More than 150,000 exams have been performed at the facility since opening in 2011
  • The only NAPBC (National Accreditation Program of Breast Care Centers) ACR (American College of Radiology) designated “breast imaging center of excellence” in the Mahoning Valley
  • The JACBCC has been consistently honored with the prestigious “Guardian of Excellence Award” by Press Ganey for achieving and maintaining patient satisfaction at the 99th percentile
  • The JACBCC has been recognized as the recipient of the “Women’s Choice Award” representing excellence in quality of service and patient experience.
  • The mobile mammography unit, “Joanie-on-the-Go,” is the first to offer 3D mammography on site
  • The van travels the tri-county area, servicing 25 sites on a monthly basis
  • Since its inception in 2016, over 14,000 exams have been performed on the mammovan
  • Satellite Centers are located in Poland and Columbiana

 

History of the JACBCC

Joanie Abdu was a devoted nurse at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, loved by the patients she took care of, and respected by the doctors and nurses she worked alongside. For more than 20 years, Joanie took care of thousands of Mahoning Valley residents. She and her husband, Dr. Rashid Abdu, were devoted to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital and the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Then, Joanie was diagnosed with breast cancer. Despite aggressive treatment, and several trips to out of state treatment facilities, Joanie lost her battle with cancer in 1994. Before she passed away, Dr. Abdu promised her he would start a comprehensive breast care center in her name so that others could get world class treatment here in Youngstown. It took nearly two decades, but Dr. Abdu made good on that promise. The JACBCC opened November 2, 2011.

Dr. Abdu notes that had this facility and technology existed in 1994, his beloved Joanie would still be here.

 

HOW PANERATHON SUPPORTS THE JACBCC

All proceeds for Panerathon support Joanie’s Promise Fund at the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley. Funds raised through Panerathon made possible a state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit that has been operational since September 2016. It is the first mobile unit in eastern Ohio to offer 3D mammography, which allows for a more thorough breast examination. There are approximately 24 sites serviced a month throughout the tri-county area by this unit.

 

JOANIE’S PROMISE?

Joanie’s Promise is that ALL women will have access to the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center. Therefore, screening expenses are covered for any woman who qualifies financially. Also, transportation will be provided for any woman who requires it.

Joanie’s Promise also supports a community educator who is dedicated to spreading the word about Joanie’s Promise and educating the community about the importance of breast cancer screenings.

In short, Joanie’s Promise will ensure that every woman in the Mahoning Valley is aware of, able to get to, and is welcome at the JACBCC regardless of the ability to pay.

Those who sponsor and participate in Panerathon will be saving lives!

“Through my ears, Joanie hears the voices of grateful women for the care they will receive in this magnificent facility. Through my eyes, she sees the reality of what once was only a dream. Through our souls, we both see the beauty, the love, the compassion and the generosity of a caring community that has made that dream come true. We are, and will always be, eternally grateful.”

– DR. RASHID ABDU

WHAT IS THE JACBCC?

At the JACBCC, we strive to lessen the anxiety caused by uncertainty by providing the most rapid screening and diagnostic results possible.

The JACBCC implements a multi-disciplinary approach for patients diagnosed with cancer by reviewing each case in a weekly breast care conference by oncologists, pathologists, radiologists, surgeons and palliative medicine specialists to determine the optimum plan of care.

Breast cancer is a disease best fought with the support of a breast health navigator. The breast health navigator is a health care professional who provides education and support for decision-making when you need it most. But more importantly, the breast health navigator serves as a compassionate and knowledgeable guide, steering you through an often overwhelming process.

Donate or Fundraise Today!
Provided at the JACBCC is an entire spectrum of diagnostic breast care services:

BONE DENSITY TESTING

NEEDLE LOCALIZATIONS

SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC 3-DIMENSIONAL DIGITAL MAMMOGRAPHY

ULTRASOUND
or
MRI

NUCLEAR MEDICINE (BREAST SPECIFIC IMAGING)

BIOPSY SERVICES INCLUDING ULTRASOUND GUIDED, STEREOTACTIC AND MRI BIOPSIES; CYST AND FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATIONS

TO SCHEDULE YOUR MAMMOGRAM:

CALL 330.480.2654