Breast Cancer does not discriminate. It strikes women of all ages, races and ethnicities. Twenty-one thousand Texas women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024 and an estimated 3,500 will die from this disease.

In 1986, Dorothy Weston Gibbons and Dr. Dixie Melillo saw the glaring need for early access to breast cancer detection, especially in the uninsured population. In response, The Rose was established as the first nonprofit breast cancer organization in Texas that would cover the costs of breast care for the uninsured.

Eight hundred thousand patients later, The Rose now has two clinics in Houston with a hub in Lufkin, and five mobile mammography coaches, appropriately called “The Pink Fleet.” Its staff includes board-certified radiologists, specialized technical staff and patient navigators who provide quality breast health services to all patients. The mobile mammography coaches allow The Rose to travel directly to women in 43 southeast Texas counties.

A patient of The Rose, Rosita Lugo, lives in Bryan/College Station with a very busy and active schedule. Mrs. Lugo is uninsured and could not afford a screening mammogram until she found out about The Rose.

“The work that you do makes an incredible difference in people's lives, and I am truly fortunate to have experienced this firsthand,” she wrote to The Rose. “Your team's kindness and professionalism provided comfort during a time that might have otherwise been overwhelming. Knowing that there are organizations like The Rose offering such vital services is a source of hope and strength for so many.”

In 2024, St. Joseph Health supported this effort and awarded The Rose a $38,000  CommonSpirit Health Community Health Improvement Grant to support breast cancer care services in Burleson County, Madison County, and Bryan/College Station. According to Emily Reis, Community Engagement Navigator for The Rose, the funds helped the nonprofit serve 167 uninsured patients in the first eight months of 2024.

“The Rose plays a critical role in the prevention of breast cancer in Southeast Texas,” said Erin Marietta, Vice President of Operations for St. Joseph Health. “The population of our region is significantly underserved, and without The Rose, hundreds of women would not undergo annual screening mammograms. The Rose shares the mission of CommonSpirit Health, to provide access to healthcare for those who could otherwise not afford it.”

The Rose devotes its budget to quality breast care, leaving very little funds for advertising. Most of their referrals are via word of mouth. But that has not kept The Rose from expanding their reach. 

“Being able to continue to serve and develop partnerships with other organizations in the area is helping us reach more women and hopefully, we can continue to detect breast cancer early and save lives,” Emily Reis said.