Each July, the women of the Eagle Bend Ladies Golf Association come together for a purpose far greater than golf. Through their annual Swing Fore a Sister tournament, these women have united their passion for the sport with a mission to improve breast cancer care in the Flathead Valley. For over a decade, their efforts have raised more than $350,000 for Logan Health’s Save a Sister program, which helps women in the community access and afford life-saving screenings and coordinated care.
This past summer’s tournament in July of 2024 was no exception. With 128 golfers across 32 teams, the ladies once again demonstrated the power of community, raising funds to purchase a Lateral Arm Upright Biopsy Accessory—a vital addition to Logan Health’s imaging services. This device enhances biopsy procedures by providing a safe and accurate approach to hard-to-reach areas of the breast. For many patients, this means fewer surgical interventions, less discomfort, and quicker results.
Traditionally, some areas of concern required surgical intervention to obtain a tissue sample, increasing the risk of complications and recovery time. With the lateral arm accessory, Logan Health can now biopsy these challenging areas using a minimally invasive approach, reducing the need for surgery and providing patients with the same confidence in their results.
“For difficult-to-reach areas in the breast, the lateral arm allows easier access in an extremely accurate and safe way for the patient,” said Dr. Scott Alexander, Vice President of Northwest Imaging and Logan Health Mammography’s lead interpreting physician. “This technology complements our current minimally invasive biopsy device, enabling us to address challenging cases while sparing patients the risks and recovery associated with surgery.”
For many participants, this annual tournament is quite personal. “My mother passed away in her mid-40s after battling breast cancer for four years,” said Julie Cavanaugh, who has been part of the event for years. “Cancer has had a very direct impact on my life, as well as my siblings.”
The Swing Fore a Sister tournament has grown into a cherished tradition, fueled by the dedication of the women who organize and play, as well as the generosity of local businesses, corporate sponsors, and community donors. “We’ve been hitting the fairways for 15 years, dedicated to raising funds that support breast diagnosis and treatment options in our community,” said Bernadette King, this year’s Swing Fore A Sister tournament co-chair. “I want to give back to our community and make a significant impact for all women.”
In addition to funding medical advancements like the lateral arm biopsy accessory and the previous year’s updated MRI coil, the tournament promotes awareness and encourages preventive care. These efforts ensure that women across the Flathead Valley have access to timely screenings and appropriate technologies that can detect breast cancer early, when it’s most treatable.
The Swing Fore a Sister tournament takes on more than just the responsibility of an annual fundraiser—it’s a celebration of community, resilience, and hope for all those who have been affected by breast cancer. Year after year, these women prove that when compassion drives action, progress becomes possible. And through their dedication, countless women facing breast cancer have received care that is not only necessary and deeply personal, but also life changing.
For more information about Save a Sister, to make a gift to the fund or to discuss opportunities to support health care in our community, please contact Dena Tomlinson at the Logan Health Foundation at dtomlinson@logan.org.
