Project Renewal Unveils All-New ScanVan Mobile Mammography Clinic During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Project Renewal, a nonprofit that works to end the cycle of homelessness through health, homes, and jobs, unveiled its new, 40-foot, state-of-the-art ScanVan mobile mammography clinic in October.

The Project Renewal ScanVan program is the first of its kind in the nation. Each year it provides free mammograms, clinical breast exams, and care coordination to more than 4,000 underserved women at sites throughout all five boroughs and Long Island. Patients with abnormal findings are contacted by patient navigators who arrange follow-up appointments at partner hospitals, radiology offices and breast centers at little or no cost to patients. Navigators work with hospital-based case workers to ensure a seamless transition from our screening program to a hospital-based treatment program.  

After 13 years on the road, the old ScanVan was breaking down, limiting the team’s ability to reliably reach patients. The new $625,000 Project Renewal ScanVan was designed to withstand the wear and tear of city traffic and a busy schedule of more than 300 annual events.

Project Renewal staff and supporters braved the rain to celebrate the new ScanVan

“We are looking forward to providing life-saving breast cancer screening exams and breast health education in a modern, comfortable coach throughout New York City,” says Mary Solomon, Director of the Project Renewal ScanVan. “We are grateful to the individual, corporate, government, and foundation supporters who make this program possible.”

The new Project Renewal ScanVan includes cutting-edge, Hologic full field digital mammography equipment, which will provide hospital-quality screenings to uninsured, under-insured and low-income women. The new van’s interior features a larger waiting area, a mammography room, and a clinic breast exam room.

Mary Solomon has first-hand experience with the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Her grandmother was diagnosed in 1982, and the early detection of her grandmother’s disease inspired her mother to launch a mobile mammography clinic, Women’s Outreach Network, in 1986. Mary ran the program with her mother until they encountered financial challenges in 2007, and Project Renewal stepped in to help. The program was seamlessly incorporated into Project Renewal’s fleet of mobile medical vans.

The Project Renewal ScanVan partners with more than 200 community-based organizations that help to arrange screening events in low income communities.

Supporters of the new Project Renewal ScanVan and program operations include The Breast Treatment Task Force, Betty Johnson, Fidelis Care, Henry Schein, Inc., Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, New York City Council Member Brad Lander, New York Council Member Steve Levin, New York City Council Member Ritchie Torres, New York State Cancer Services Program, New York State Department of Health, New York State Senator Boyle, New York State Senator Lanza, RAR Foundation, Richmond County Savings Foundation, The Samuel Freeman Charitable Trust, Sandra Atlas Bass & Edythe & Sol G. Atlas Fund, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure Greater NYC.