Approximately 1 in 8 U.S. women will develop breast cancer during her lifetime. Fortunately, the number of breast cancer survivors has been increasing since 1989 — the result of increased awareness, earlier detection with screening mammograms and treatment advances.

The employee-led Tanner Health System Activities Committee, which was chartered to celebrate employee successes, has found a way to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. The committee has sold T-shirts each fall since 2008, with the proceeds benefiting some aspect of patient cancer care.

Last year’s T-shirt — “Early Detection Makes Me a Happy Camper” — was sold online in September through November 2018. Sales of the shirt raised almost $27,340 to support Tanner Foundation’s Mammogram Assistance Fund.

This fund helps women of all ages in our community afford the annual screening mammograms that offer the best chance for early detection and breast cancer survival. The fund also helps men who are referred for mammograms.

The 2018 donation meant that in only 11 years of annual T-shirt sales dedicated to assist local cancer patients, the committee has raised almost $190,000.

The 2019 T-shirt, with a theme of “Join the Journey: Help Save Lives,” is now on sale at tanner.org.

Committee members hope this year’s T-shirt will be even more popular. The T-shirts are available in two colors — watermelon and blue jean — in short and long sleeve lengths for $20 and $25 respectively. T-shirts can be picked up at Tanner Medical Center/Carrollton or shipped for a small fee.

“This is the 12th year that we’ve sold T-shirts in support of this very worthy cause, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to still be making a difference with help from the community and Tanner team members,” said Janet Daniels, RN, chair of the Tanner Activities Committee. “We believe that every T-shirt sold brings hope, and every time a T-shirt is worn by someone out in the community, it increases awareness of breast cancer and the importance of screening mammograms for early detection.”

To learn more about Tanner Foundation, visit TannerMedicalFoundation.org. To learn more about Tanner Health System, visit tanner.org.

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The 2019 “Join the Journey: Help Save Lives” T-shirt is available for purchase in short- and long-sleeve lengths during September through November at tanner.org. The proceeds are used to help women who may not otherwise be able to afford it get the screening mammograms they