Thousands of people across the Lakelands just received some great news in the fight against breast cancer. The Dabo Swinney All In Team Foundation announced that it will make a lead gift of $250,000 to help Self Regional Healthcare purchase a new, 3-D mammography motor coach. The Self Regional Healthcare Foundation will also provide financial support to purchase this new vehicle. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and according to SCDHEC, breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in South Carolina. 

 “We are so thrilled to have the support of Coach and Mrs. Swinney’s Foundation. This generous commitment will go a long way towards helping us provide lifesaving technology that will help with the early detection of breast cancer. This new vehicle will ensure that women across the region will have access to the most advanced breast imaging equipment available today,” said Dr. Matt Logan, President and CEO of Self Regional Healthcare.

 It was no coincidence that this announcement took place during October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 3-D mammography has been proven to be the most effective modality in early breast cancer detection, and the earlier detection occurs, the better the chances of survival.

 “This incredibly generous gift ties in perfectly with our Equation For Progress Campaign which, in part, is focused on creating a comprehensive breast center of excellence for women. We hope to have some additional news about the center in 2024, but this project may very well be the most consequential project our Foundation has ever undertaken,” said Ken Coffey, Executive Director of the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation.

“Breast cancer is close to home for the Swinney family. Coach Swinney’s wife, Kathleen, lost her older sister to breast cancer, and thanks to breakthrough research and early detection, both Kathleen and her younger sister discovered that they carry the BRCA gene, making the risk of disease very close to her and the Swinney family. We are honored to partner with the Self Regional Healthcare Foundation to make mammograms and treatment more affordable and accessible to those in the Greenwood and Lakelands Region,” said Lexie Vick, Assistant Director of Dabo’s All In Team Foundation.

The Self Regional Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees announced the appointment of five new trustees: Peter Bjerke, Hannah Metts, Steve Riley, Dave Thompson and Jill Warner. These volunteer, community leaders join sixteen other Trustees to help the Foundation provide service and education on healthcare, develop recognition for individuals and businesses that support the Foundation, and ultimately, work to increase charitable support that helps Self Regional Healthcare to improve healthcare in Greenwood and the Lakelands region.

Peter Bjerke was president and owner of 125 Company, Inc. in Germantown, Md.  Peter is an avid musician and golfer. He and his wife, Irene, reside in Stoney Point. Hannah Metts is an attorney with McDonald Patrick Poston Hemphill & Roper. This will be Ms. Metts second stint on the SRH Foundation Board. Steve Riley is the owner of Emerald Ink & Stitches and Maxwell Axe. His work in the community has been far-reaching with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, the Clemson Club, the Touchdown Club and Rotary. Dave Thompson is the owner and president of Help Around the Home LLC and Thompson Rental Properties. Jill Warner was formerly with Lonza Pharmaceutical where she served as director of Supply Chain. Riley, Thompson and Warner have been active members of the Foundation’s Special Gifts Committee.

 These new Board members replace outgoing Board members: Tim Hodges and Hunter Bell. In addition, the following Board members were reappointed to the Board: Mark Askew, Glenda Corley, Sharon Mulkey, and Michael Walters. Lastly, the Board appointed John Cooper as Chair, Glenda Corley as Vice-Chair, Chris Clem as Treasurer and Chuck Rimsky as Secretary.

“We are so grateful for the service of Tim Hodges and Hunter Bell. These two leaders helped the Foundation navigate some of the most challenging social and economic times in our lives. Their collective efforts were vital to the successful completion of Our Vision Is 2020 Campaign that raised almost $8.5 million, and we thank both for being on our team. We’re also thrilled to welcome our newest trustees to the Foundation Board. We are certain that these new trustees will help ensure continued success in our efforts to provide healthcare education to the community, appropriate recognition for our supporters, and ultimately, help us increase philanthropic support to improve the health and well-being of our community,” said Ken Coffey, Executive Director of the Foundation.