ANITA SALAS MEMORIAL FUND
The Anita Salas Memorial Fund, under the New Mexico Community Foundation nonprofit umbrella 501(c)3, helps New Mexican women pay for breast or cervical cancer treatment, or related bills such as transportation, lodging, or medications for treatment. These women are moderate to low income, under insured or uninsured. The funds go directly to the bills, not the woman.
100% of the donations help women in New Mexico. There is only a 5% administration fee. So, 95% is used for direct breast and cervical cancer services for women; with nominal amounts towards fundraising. We are run by volunteers with no paid staff.
About the Fund
In 1996, the “Drive for Life” fund was established under the leadership of Anita Salas, Manager of the New Mexico Department of Health’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. The not-for-profit, 501(c)3, fund was established to assist low-income women in receiving diagnostic and treatment services for breast and cervical cancer. Anita Salas passed away in 1998 and the fund was
renamed to honor her memory and dedication to public health in New Mexico.
The Anita Salas Memorial Fund has helped numerous women with a wide variety of treatment needs.
Examples include:
• Payment for diagnostic, treatment, or physician services not covered by any other payer; including co-pays and deductibles for women with insurance
• Gas reimbursement or other related services for cancer treatment such as childcare, medications, and lodging for women in rural areas who require travel for treatment.
• Other services deemed appropriate on a case-by-case basis.
Low-income, uninsured or under insured women in New Mexico benefit from the fund. These are women who need diagnostic or treatment services for breast or cervical cancer yet have insufficient personal resources and do not qualify for any state or federal assistance. Prior to the Anita Salas Memorial Fund, these women often delayed recommended medical services for breast and/or cervical cancer diagnosis and treatment.
For more information about the Fund contact:
Diane DaCamara
Eamil: Diane.Piccione-Dacamara@state.nm.us
Phone: 505-841-5896
Tags: anita salas memorial fund, breast cancer, breast cancer awareness, fundraiser, new mexico community foundation
