The Texas Health Resources Wellness for Life Mobile Health Program has continued its commitment to providing vital breast cancer screenings across North Texas. This initiative has proven particularly impactful for individuals like Ariana Saldierna, a 42-year-old Arlington native who recently received a life-altering diagnosis of Stage 3 breast cancer after participating in a mobile health event.
Saldierna had initially hesitated to seek medical attention for pain in her right breast, recalling a past experience that turned out to be harmless. However, encouragement from a friend led her to the mobile clinic, where she underwent a mammogram screening in February. Just a week later, she learned about her diagnosis. “I had been seven months unemployed, and I didn’t have any money, so the mobile clinic was a big help for me,” Saldierna said. “I don’t see how I would have done it without them.”
The mobile clinic offers no-cost services specifically designed for those who are uninsured or underinsured. According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, 1 in 8 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, highlighting the importance of accessible screening programs like this one.
Expanding Services and Impact
Since its inception in 1993, the program has evolved to include various health screenings, from prostate cancer tests to diabetes blood tests, but breast cancer remains a core focus. In the previous year, the mobile unit conducted 3,156 mammograms, with requests typically increasing in October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Nina Burgos, the program’s mobile health director, noted the significance of early detection. “Every early detection is a life given them more time, more birthdays, more memories, more moments with their loved ones,” she stated.
The program’s foundation is rooted in a groundbreaking study from the National Cancer Institute, which began in 1992 and demonstrated the effectiveness of tamoxifen as a breast cancer treatment. As a result, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth committed resources to develop the mobile unit, aiming to improve breast cancer screening rates in the community.
Dr. Kathleen Crowley, the program’s medical director, has led these efforts and plans to step down in December. She expressed pride in the program’s growth and its ability to raise awareness about breast cancer. “It feels as though we have made some sort of impact in the lives of people around us,” Crowley said. “When you think about helping others, that’s a noble attribute.”
Advocacy Through Personal Experience
Saldierna’s experience has inspired her to advocate for breast cancer screenings among friends and family. She continues her treatment at Parkland Health and encourages others to confront their fears regarding health screenings. “I know it’s a very scary thing to do — I was scared,” she admitted. “But I hope they get the courage to go out there and get checked and get it over with, rather than waiting and finding out later that you have cancer.”
The mobile clinic’s ongoing mission emphasizes not only the importance of early detection but also the profound human impact of accessible healthcare services. Their work continues to save lives, instilling hope in communities across North Texas.
