Effingham, IL – The Effingham County Health Department (ECHD) has been awarded a Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure – Community Outreach Grant by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The grant will support expanded outreach and education around breast cancer prevention, screening, and support services in Effingham County. The grant will run through the end of June 2026.
This new funding will enable ECHD to share education and social media campaigns aimed at encouraging regular breast cancer screenings and increasing awareness of breast cancer risks. Special emphasis will be placed on reaching underserved populations who may face barriers in accessing screenings.
Outreach activities will include educational workshops, community events and presentations, distribution of informational materials, and promotion of the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. ECHD will also be using visual educational materials from the Know Your Lemons Foundation. The material is designed to help improve early detection of breast cancer in a fun and inclusive way, using lemons.
The Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program offers free mammograms, breast exams, pelvic exams, and Pap tests to women:
• Living in Illinois.
• Without insurance or with insurance that doesn’t cover breast and cervical cancer screening.
• 21 to 64 years old.*
*Younger women may be eligible in some cases.
There is no income requirement.
For more information, please contact Catherine Bailey at 217-342-9237 or visit www.effcohealth.org.