The Jestina V. Jones Free Breast Screening provides free breast screening for cancer and wellness care for marginalized / low income women. The goal of this project is to sponsor a certain number of women each year until the number gets up to seventy-one (71) or more. Mrs. Jones had her home calling at 71 years of age, due to breast cancer. The sponsorship covers all fees that come with first breast examination and Ultra-Sound (if needed) including mandatory counseling at the Well Woman Clinic which was founded by Melvine Edith Patricia Stuart Trust (MEPS Trust) in 2006.
Recipients are selected on financial need as assessed by an advisory body consisting of a family member of Jestina V. Jones, the Programme Director of Well Woman Clinic, and a breast cancer survivor.
The JVJ Free Breast Screening Award was launched on March 18, 2016. Board Members presented a cheque of Le 900,000.00 to the Director of the Well Woman Clinic, Mrs. Jennifer Renner-Thomas. In February 2017, Mrs. Renner-Thomas sent the Board a detailed report of how the funding had been disbursed. In summary, 10 people received breast screening and four (4) received follow up care throughout the year. All beneficiaries also received mandatory counseling at the clinic.
Of note, was that two of the ten beneficiaries were men. Board Members were happy to see that Well Woman Clinic was inclusive to all who needed their services, regardless of gender.
The JVJ Memorial Fund continues to support the Well Woman Clinic with awards each year. In 2017, the organization donated Le 1.5million and Le 2million in 2018. The 2018 report from the Well Woman Clinic noted over 20 new individuals receiving free breast screening, with four returning for following visits that include counseling. Once again, of the 20 individuals one was male among the new cases. On March 18, 2019, the JVJ Memorial Fund donated Le5million to Well Woman Clinic. Two beneficiaries were interviewed by journalist, Edna Browne Dauphine, from the local newspaper, AWOKO spoke <https://awoko.org/2019/03/26/sierra-leone-news-jvjf-supports-breast-cancer-screening/>. In 2020, the JVJ Memorial Fund donated Le8million to Well Woman Clinic, for which they reported 44 women were the recipients of free breast screening and counseling, 11 of whom were new cases. In 2021, the JVJ Memorial Fund donated Le12 million to Well Woman Clinic and 76 individuals received free breast screening, of which 13 were follow up treatments that included 8 biopsies with fine needle aspiration cytology.
It is hoped that the availability of these awards and promotion of these opportunities will continue to raise awareness about breast cancer, thus leading more and more to early definitive diagnosis of breast cancer and successful intervention.
To make a donation to the fund, click on this link.
Jestina V. Jones Memorial Fund 