Helping Prevent Breast Cancer

Maui County Federal Credit Union (FCU) raised $5,217.70 in support of Maui Health Foundation’s Kokua for a Cause campaign, supporting breast cancer prevention for individuals on Maui by providing life-saving mammograms and biopsies for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured. Mammograms are the international gold-standard in breast cancer prevention and help to find cancer when it is small, allowing more treatment options and a better chance of recovery. While biopsies are necessary to determine the presence of breast cancer.

One in eight women in the United States develops breast cancer and it is the most common cancer affecting the women in Hawaii. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2021 alone there was a rise in both cases and deaths with an estimated 1,390 new cases and 170 women who died of breast cancer throughout the State of Hawaii.

Maui Health Foundation Chief Development Officer, Melinda Sweany shares, “We want to thank Maui County Federal Credit Union, and especially its employees and members, for their support of Kokua for a Cause. Because of their efforts and incredible commitment to assisting and protecting women on Maui, we will be able to raise a total of over $80,000 this year, which will provide 400 screenings or other vital, life-saving procedures to those who are most vulnerable.”

 “We are honored to be able to support Maui Health Foundation’s efforts to help women in need receive life-saving preventative breast cancer care again this year.” says Maui County Federal Credit Union President/CEO, Gary Fukuroku. “We are grateful for the individual fundraising efforts and enthusiasm of our employees for this worthy cause, and the generosity of our members.”

Pictured above from left from Maui Health Foundation is Cassie Chavez, Development Manager-Annual Giving/Marketing, Melinda Sweany, Chief Development Officer, and from Maui County FCU is Gary Fukuroku, President/CEO, Bobbie Pagay, Community Relations Specialist, and Denise Thayer, Chief Development & Communications Officer