The Logan Health Foundation received a generous $70,000 gift from PacificSource Health Plans, aimed at advancing breast cancer care in the Flathead Valley. The contribution includes the purchase of a second breast MRI coil and an investment in Carol’s Fund, an endowment that supports breast cancer services and coordinated care for women in the region.
This generous investment addresses the growing need for accessible and advanced breast cancer screening technologies, especially for women with dense breast tissue who require specialized MRI screenings. On September 10, the FDA required that health care facilities providing breast imaging services notify patients of their breast density in their mammography reports. Logan Health was leading in this area long before the mandate—informing patients about their breast density and offering education as a preventive measure for breast disease. The addition of this new MRI coil will enhance access to supplemental screening by upgrading technologies in both the MRI and Mammography suites, enabling the team to find cancers that may not be visible on a mammogram.
“PacificSource is committed to helping people lead healthier lives by increasing access to high-quality care. Early detection plays a critical role in the fight against breast cancer,” said Erik Wood, Montana Market President at PacificSource Health Plans. “The addition of a second breast MRI device ensures more women in our community have access to advanced screening tools. This investment reflects our ongoing commitment to making sure that every woman can get the care she needs to improve her well-being when it matters most.”
Carol’s Fund, established by former Logan Health breast surgical oncologist Dr. Jim Bonnet in honor of his sister Carol Bonnet, who passed away after a long battle with breast cancer, will continue to grow through this partnership, providing sustainable support for coordinated breast cancer care and services in the Flathead Valley.
“Logan Health provides access to safe, high-quality care,” expressed Michael Barth, Interim President of the Logan Health Foundation. “Through outreach and education, we seek to ensure that women have an opportunity for regular breast cancer screenings. Our goal is to prevent cancer, but where we can’t, we seek to catch it as early as possible. Through financial support from terrific partners like PacificSource, we will provide our physicians with the most up-to-date diagnostic tools. We are thrilled to secure PacificSource’s investment in a new MRI coil along with their commitment to help us grow Carol’s Fund, which will impact the care we provide now and far into the future.”
The addition of the second breast MRI coil and the continued growth of Carol’s Fund highlights Logan Health’s ongoing efforts to improve access to life-saving breast cancer services for women in the Flathead Valley. “Women in rural communities often face barriers to care, but initiatives like this help bridge the gap by bringing cutting-edge technology closer to where people live,” said Wood. “With the additional resources from Carol’s Fund, patients will have access to a care network that focuses not only on their medical needs but also on providing emotional and logistical support. This helps reduce the stress and uncertainty that often accompany a cancer diagnosis, allowing families to focus on healing.”
For more information about Carol’s Fund, to make a gift to the fund, or discuss opportunities to support health care in our community, please contact the Logan Health Foundation at foundation@logan.org or (406) 751-6930.