MHM Unveils Art Installation Commemorating Breast Cancer Awareness Month
SAY Sí students were commissioned to create the art piece out of donated bras and ties collected during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in 2021
San Antonio, Texas (September 27, 2022) – Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc., in partnership with San Antonio International Airport, and SAY Sí, unveiled a new art installation commemorating at the San Antonio International Airport on Tuesday, September 27. The art installation was commissioned by Methodist Healthcare Ministries and created by students of SAY Sí using more than 250 donated bras and ties collected during its 2021 Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The items were donated by breast cancer survivors, as well as their loved ones, through collection bins located at the San Antonio International Airport, Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ San Antonio locations, and ThriveWell Cancer Foundation.
Methodist Healthcare Ministries commissioned the art piece using donated bras and ties to foster a dialogue in the community about the importance of cancer prevention screenings and the need for support services, such as transportation and housing, for uninsured/low-income patients who struggle to access care once diagnosed with cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the United States behind skin cancer. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the totals number of cancer screening tests received by women through the Center for Disease Control’s National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (Early Detection Program) declined by 87% for breast cancer and 84% for cervical cancer during April 2020 as compared with the previous 5-year averages for that month.
“We wanted to create something memorable to drive home the importance of screening and the impact breast cancer has on more than just the patient, but also caregivers, families, neighbors, health care providers and, really, it impacts our entire community,” says Jaime Wesolowski, President & CEO of Methodist Healthcare Ministries. “With cancer, there is always a ripple effect, and it is so important that we encourage the people we love to get screened early. We are incredibly proud of the students at SAY Sí for lending their creativity and time to this effort, and to the San Antonio International Airport for allowing this work to be displayed – their efforts can save lives in our community and across the world, as it will be seen by visitors from around the world.”
The art installation will be placed in an area near baggage claim in Terminal B at the San Antonio International Airport. It will remain there throughout October 2022.
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About Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.: Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc. is a private, faith-based not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating access to health care for the uninsured through direct services, community partnerships and strategic grant-making in 74 counties across South Texas. Guided by its mission of "Serving Humanity to Honor God," Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ vision is to be the leader for improving wellness of the least served. The mission also includes Methodist Healthcare Ministries' one-half ownership of the Methodist Healthcare System, the largest healthcare system in South Texas, which creates a unique avenue to ensure that it continues to be a benefit to the community by providing quality care to all and charitable care when needed. For more information, visit www.mhm.org.