SmartWomen Luncheon raises funds for life-saving mammograms with keynote from Patricia Heaton

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Hundreds of women gathered at the Savannah Convention Center on Wednesday to help ensure financial barriers do not prevent anyone from accessing life-saving breast cancer screenings.

St. Joseph’s/Candler hosted the 24th annual SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo, an annual gathering that serves as the primary fundraiser for the Telfair Mammography Fund.

The fund covers the cost of mammograms and critical breast health services for women across the region who are uninsured or underinsured.

Emmy-winning actress Patricia Heaton served as the event’s keynote speaker, helping rally community members to raise tens of thousands of dollars to support the initiative.

“To be able to support women’s health from women is really important,” Heaton said. “So many women put off screenings that they should be doing because they don’t have the money. So I think it’s wonderful that St. Joseph’s and the SmartWomen have come in to fill in the gap and make sure that women get the treatment that they need in time.”

According to St. Joseph’s/Candler officials, the fund covered hundreds of screening and diagnostic mammograms over the past year.

Community members can contribute to the Telfair Mammography Fund year-round through the St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations.