Picture of a group of women's hands in a circle holding a pink breast cancer ribbon.

Women in Touch Fund provides free screening mammograms to uninsured women in Ashe County

JEFFERSON, N.C. — A cancer diagnosis can be life-changing, not just for the patient, but for the patient’s loved ones.

Jade experienced that firsthand when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. In addition to the extreme worry that she felt for her mother, she also was concerned for herself and her daughters.

Jade had heard about the importance of mammograms; but it wasn’t until Dr. Landon Allen at New River Family Wellness, PLLC told her about the Ashe Memorial Hospital Foundation’s Women in Touch Fund and recommended it when she turned 40 years old because of her mother’s history with breast cancer that she decided to apply for the program.

While she had never previously had a mammogram, the experience proved to be more than Jade could’ve asked for.

“It meant so much to know there are programs out there like this to help financially and the support at my appointment was amazing,” Jade said. “The sweet lady was so gentle and kind and calming. I was fearful and had a lot of anxiety going in because of all the horror stories I had heard about mammograms before, but it was a very good experience.”

Through the generosity of Ashe County donors, the Women in Touch Fund provides free screening mammograms for uninsured women who reside in Ashe County. Women must be at least 40 years old unless the mammogram is ruled medically necessary. Diagnostic mammograms may also be covered by the Women in Touch Fund on a case-by-case basis. Those interested in applying for financial assistance may do so by visiting the Ashe Memorial Hospital website at www.ashememorial.org/docs/Women_In_Touch_Application_10.1.2025.pdf and downloading a copy of the Women in Touch Mammography Assistance Application.

“Mammograms save lives,” Ashe Memorial Hospital Foundation Director Becky Pearson said. “And thanks to the generosity of hundreds of donations, the Women in Touch Fund through the AMH Foundation ensures that no woman in Ashe County will go without a mammogram, regardless of her ability to pay for the procedure.”

Mammograms are among the most powerful breast cancer detection tools available, and over the past five years, Ashe Memorial Hospital has performed more than 12,000 mammograms for area residents. One in eight women in the United States are at risk for developing invasive breast cancer; and in 2025, an estimated 316,950 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, making it the most common cancer among women in the United States.

Every two minutes a woman in the United States is diagnosed with the disease. However, there is hope. When caught in its earliest, localized stages, the five-year survival rate is 99%. Using state-of-the-art 3D mammography equipment, patients can receive 3D mammograms, stereotactic breast biopsies and breast MRIs close to home.

“The Women in Touch Fund plays a crucial role in the community by helping to cover the cost of mammograms and other diagnostic tests for uninsured and underinsured women, ensuring no one is left behind due to financial hardship,” said Dr. Ayla Kessler, Medical Director for Ashe Oncology and Hematology. “As we spread the word about breast cancer awareness, we want to remind every woman in our community that a simple, quick mammogram could save her life. The support of the Women in Touch Fund makes this possible for many who might otherwise go without. Our community's health is our top priority, and we encourage everyone to join our cause, whether through volunteering or a donation."

All mammogram screenings are scheduled through the scheduling department. Call 336-846-0820 to schedule a mammogram.

Those interested in supporting the Women in Touch Fund or the AMH Foundation may do so by visiting ashememorial.org and clicking on the Donate button at the top of the homepage or by contacting Becky Pearson at 336-846-0785 or becky.pearson@ashememorial.org.

About Ashe Memorial Hospital
For more than 80 years, Ashe Memorial Hospital’s dedicated team of board-certified physicians, nurses and staff members have provided the highest quality medical care available to the people of Ashe County and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains. Ashe Memorial Hospital offers a wide variety of emergency, elective, rehabilitation and preventative health services.
Founded in 1941, Ashe Memorial Hospital is a fully accredited 25 bed critical hospital located in Jefferson, N.C. For more information, please visit ashememorial.org or call 336-846-7101.