The American Cancer Society estimates 2,490 women in Nevada will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year and an estimated 400 women will also lose their lives to the disease. Unfortunately, only 60 percent of Nevada women 45 years and older have up-to-date mammography, ranking our state 47th in the nation.

Early detection and prevention of breast cancer is crucial, and mammograms make it possible to check for the disease in women, even before they have any signs or symptoms.

To encourage and incentivize women in Southern Nevada to get their annual mammogram, Comprehensive Cancer Centers (Comprehensive) teamed up with Vegas Golden Knights’ star defenseman Shea Theodore to create the Mammo Cup Patch.

Available now and while supplies last, women throughout the valley who complete their annual mammogram at a program partner site can receive the limited edition Mammo Cup patch. The patch is inspired by and designed like patches worn on team jerseys to celebrate various accomplishments.

Of course, having an up-to-date mammogram is an accomplishment in and of itself. Women who receive the patch can proudly wear it on a favorite Golden Knights jersey or keepsake to celebrate, while potentially encouraging other women to get a mammogram.

The Mammo Cup patch is part of Kay’s Power Play, a fund launched in November 2020 for Susan G. Komen Nevada, that is named in Kay Darlington’s memory – Shea Theodore’s late grandmother and a beloved breast cancer patient at Comprehensive. The fund serves as a critical lifeline, providing financial assistance for the uninsured and underinsured to keep mammograms top of mind. For those needing preventative resources, Kay’s Power Play is a means to receive care that may lead to a potentially life-altering diagnosis.

Mammo Cup patches are currently available at Breast Center at Sunrise, Desert Radiology, Desert View Hospital, Nevada Health Centers Mammovan, Pueblo Medical Imaging, Simon Med Imaging, Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging and Summerlin Hospital. For details on Kay’s Power Play and the Mammo Cup patch, visit https://cccnevada.com/kays-power-play.

Photo: Courtesy of Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Jon Bilstein, CEO Comprehensive Cancer Centers; Dr. Rupesh J. Parikh, Practice President; Cam Theodore, father of Shea; Corrine Theodore, mother of Shea; Shea Theodore, VGK Defenseman and Sherry Alexis (former development manager for Susan G Komen).