The CoxHealth Foundation Breast Care Fund has its roots in a CoxHealth employee. When Women’s Center staffer Joyce Schwandt was diagnosed with breast cancer, her team rallied behind her. The goal was to keep her focused on her recovery and allow her to get the best possible care. She received that outstanding care at CoxHealth. Joyce became very ill during her course of care and when her bills began to pile up, the team again stepped into help. A golf tournament was formed called “Ozarks Women’s Links” with proceeds to help Joyce meet her obligations. Joyce had the courage and drive of a woman who met life’s challenges with everything she had. Unfortunately, Joyce was unable to beat her cancer and her passing was met with determination to create a legacy for this incredible woman.

The golf tournament continued and all the funds now were used to start a BREAST CARE Fund to help women with diagnostic mammograms for early detection and in later years, to support breast cancer care overall. Today, hundreds of women are helped annually with their medical bills, diagnostics, and unfunded needs that make all the difference in their recovery. The Joyce Schwandt Library was also established in the CoxHealth Women’s Center to offer resources to women, just like Joyce did every day on the job. Joyce’s legacy will ever be the thousands of lives this fund has now helped. To receive support or donate to the Breast Care Fund, select the Donate Now button the  home page and put BCF in the text box.