Perdue Fdn. donation brings TidalHealth’s mobile mammography unit fundraiser closer to goal

SALISBURY, Md. – One day soon, you might see a 38-foot pink bus rolling around the Lower Shore.

Big Vision, Big Fundraising Goal

The unit will bring state-of-the-art mammogram technology to the women needing it. That vision got a big show of support from the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation on Wednesday.

“There has been so much excitement around it, and for this campaign, we’ve raised dollar for dollar. Perdue’s contribution is one of the largest that we’ve gotten … We have a lot of access issues here on the Shore. Investing in us means a lot. It helps us get to our goal,” said Jessica Hales, Vice President, Chief Philanthropy Officer, and President of the TidalHealth Foundation.

Perdue Foundation Helps Out

The Perdue Foundation donated $100,000 toward the campaign. The TidalHealth Foundation’s goal is to raise $1 million for the bus. Hospital officials say it could serve up to 40 women per day.

“Knowing that this mobile mammography unit is going to go to places of work, worship, schools, and businesses to help people get early diagnoses to prevent long-term disease is something that Perdue just really grabbed hold of,” said Kim Nechay, Executive Director of the Perdue Foundation.

“A healthy community is a productive community.”

Hales said prevention and early detection are key to surviving breast cancer. She added that meeting women where they are to provide screening and information in a comfortable environment is crucial to boosting population health.

“We have to go outside the walls of the hospital … A lot of times women put themselves last, and to be able to have convenience and access rolled into one—a healthy community is a productive community,” Hales said.

And, Nechay said it was a no-brainer to help their neighbors.

“We love giving to organizations and projects that touch people right where they are. And, cancer touches every one of our neighbors … Knowing that we’re investing in a program that’s going to touch almost all of our neighbors is just so special,” Nechay said.

How You Can Help

With this donation, the TidalHealth Foundation has raised about $850,000 toward the mobile mammography unit drive. If you can donate, you can do so by clicking here. TidalHealth hopes to get the unit rolling by October 2025.