You just helped us provide hundreds of free cancer screenings during a pandemic

Guadalupe Osorio is a community health worker at Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic. She’s holding one of the test kits that was dropped off at patients’ homes.

Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic is the largest free clinic in Wisconsin and exists to serve people who don’t have other health care options. Through your support of the Judy Kerns Pence Cancer Fund, colorectal cancer screenings are provided to patients of Aurora Walker’s Point at no cost.

Despite the circumstances caused by the pandemic, Aurora Walker’s Point completed 83% of colorectal cancer screenings that were due. During the spring of 2020, community health workers developed an innovative, no-contact system to help provide screenings by arranging drop-off and pick-up of fecal occult blood test kits at patients’ homes.

“Patient after patient expressed gratitude for this offering,” said Chris Casselman, Manager of Clinic Operations for Aurora Walker’s Point. “Completing screenings at such a high rate during a pandemic is a huge accomplishment and a testimony to the good the Judy Kerns Pence Cancer Fund does for our community. We are very, very grateful for this fund and the generous support of its donors.”

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in Wisconsin and the second leading cause of cancer death among both men and women in the state. Early detection and screening can find colorectal cancer in its earliest stages, increasing the success of treatment and reducing mortality from the disease. People who are uninsured and underinsured may not have a primary care doctor or may avoid a screening for personal reasons.

Judy Kerns Pence passed away from colon cancer in 2003 at the age of 42. Her parents, Pat and Joan Kerns, started a fund to honor their daughter’s memory.

Your support of the Judy Kerns Pence Cancer Fund continues to save lives throughout 2020.

• 516 screenings were provided at Aurora Walker’s Point Community Clinic.
• Two patients received a positive screening and had polyps removed – potentially saving their lives.
• 751 donors have donated more than $585,000 to Judy’s fund since its inception.

Thank you for your ongoing support to this fund. It is truly saving lives!