Who We Are
Francine's Friends is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, providing mobile mammography in partnership with Parkview Health and Breast Diagnostic Center. It was started by a group of local businesswomen and community leaders who were determined to make early detection of breast cancer available to every woman in Fort Wayne and the surrounding area. Francine's Friends raised the funds to purchase a mobile mammography coach and continues to raise funds each year to help support the program.
Francine's Friends is named for Francine Schubert, the wife of a local physician, who died of breast cancer. Francine's untiring approach to life and living was an inspiration to all who knew her. She was devoted to her family and friends and had a wonderful outlook on life. When cancer came, Francine fought bravely and never let cancer appear to have the upper hand, but she lost her fight in September 2002.
Francine's Friends began in 2005 and in the first three years, more than 8,000 screenings were given. Of the women screened, 32 percent had never had a mammogram or had not had one in the preceding three years. The coach now provides mammography access to women at more than 600 sites in northeast Indiana.
To schedule a mammogram, call 260-266-8120. To schedule a visit of the mobile mammography coach at your site it is an electronic request to the email address: FrancinesFriendsMobileMammography@parkviewhealth.onmicrosoft.com.
Mobile Mammography
The Francine's Friends Mobile Mammography coach brings high-quality, lifesaving mammography screening to women across northeast Indiana at locations more convenient to their homes or workplaces.
The interior of the 40-foot-long motor coach is designed for complete privacy. X-ray technologists from the Breast Diagnostic Center staff the coach, which is furnished with the same FDA-approved and Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA)-approved equipment as the physical sites of the Breast Diagnostic Center.
Screening mammography through this mobile service is for women who:
- Are age 40 and older and have not had a mammogram in the past 12 months
- Are insured or uninsured
Many insurance plans are accepted, and funding is available to cover expenses for women who do not have sufficient financial resources.
DeBrand Fine Chocolates
DeBrand Fine Chocolates graciously gives a piece of its wonderful chocolate to each woman receiving a mammogram while the coach is at DeBrand's Auburn Road location.
Thank our supporters
When you visit the mobile mammography coach, remember to thank our many community partners who allow the coach to park in their lots, making it more convenient for women to get this lifesaving screening. Companies such as Kroger, DeBrand Fine Chocolates, McMahon Best One Tires and many others have been with us since the very beginning. Their partnership is invaluable.
Also, thank the many corporations that invite us to come to the workplace for their employees. We are blessed to have so many companies that care.
Francine’s Friends Mobile Mammography Schedule
To view Francine's Freinds Mammography Schedule please use:
parkview.com/services-specialties/cancer/cancer-care-teams/breast-oncology/francines-friends
