UPMC Altoona Foundation Announces $100,000 Donation to Breast Health Center

6/23/2015

HOLLIDAYSBURG, PA. — The Bruno and Lena DeGol Family Foundation has donated $100,000 in support of the UPMC Altoona Breast Health Center, located at Station Medical Center.

“This is a very significant contribution by the DeGol family and its foundation to improving the health of area residents through their gift to the UPMC Altoona Foundation,” says Tim Balconi, foundation president.

“This gift will support patients’ access to breast health services in a meaningful way,” says Jerry Murray, president of UPMC Altoona and UPMC Bedford Memorial.

Mr. Murray made the donation announcement during a luncheon held between two flights of 200-plus golfers at the foundation’s annual golf tournament.

“I would do anything I can to eliminate cancer,” says Denny DeGol, representative of the Bruno and Lena DeGol Family Foundation . “I know it touches so many lives.”

Karen Pfeffer, Esq., serves as capital campaign committee chairperson. Pfeffer is a trustee on the UPMC Altoona hospital board and chairs its Medical and Quality Affairs Committee.

At the Breast Health Center, patients receive the full range of advanced diagnosis and treatments for breast cancer and other breast conditions including 3D breast imaging, also known as breast tomosynthesis. Tomosynthesis reduces patient recall rates and improves cancer detection, says Lauren Deur, a board-certified, fellowship-trained diagnostic radiologist with UPMC Altoona Radiology. Dr. Deur is also certified to read digital mammography.

This comprehensive breast care center — unique in Blair County — features Dianna Craig, M.D., FACS, a general surgeon who specializes in breast diseases, an oncology nurse navigator, two board-certified, fellowship-trained diagnostic radiologists with UPMC Altoona Radiology, and cancer risk assessment and genetics counseling through UPMC’s Breast Genetics Telemedicine Program. The Breast Health Center combines state-of-the-art technology with a patient-centered team approach for breast health patients.