October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to promote screening and prevention of the disease that affects thousands of families each year. In honor of this month, we are spotlighting BarbaraCares, a local organization that encourages proactive cancer screenings while promoting health equity.
BarbaraCares was founded in 2018 by Xavier Sanders in memory of his late mother, who lost her courageous battle with breast cancer. The organization provides free mammography screenings and other supportive services to communities that are uninsured, low-income, and/or face other barriers to accessing health services. Today, BarbaraCares has grown to provide services to more than 600 individuals annually.
In 2022, BarbaraCares was a grant recipient of the Fund to Advance Racial Equity at NTCF. This funding enabled the organization to provide mammograms and distribute breast check kits at no-cost to local residents. Additionally, the grant supported the Caring Conversations Health Forum, which helped build understanding about the disease. More than 230 women were served through these programs. In 2023, the organization received a second FARE grant to reach even more women through screenings and awareness initiatives.
“The North Texas Community Foundation’s partnership has been the driving force behind Barbaracares’ mission to advocate for breast cancer awareness and screenings. Through the support of NTCF, we now have the capacity to scale outreach efforts through hired personnel, which equates to increasing health equity, reaching vulnerable populations, and saving more lives. The support fuels our mission’s impact, bringing hope and health to those in need.” – Xavier Sanders, BarbaraCares.
In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, BarbaraCares is hosting free events, including a mobile mammogram clinic. For more information about BarbaraCares and their events, please visit www.BarbaraCaresforyou.org.
