Elizabeth House expands mammogram access in underserved areas

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A local nonprofit is making a big push to get mammograms to more women in underserved communities. This comes after a backlog revealed that hundreds of women need the screenings.

Brandy Sims, the founder of Elizabeth House, said she started the nonprofit after the death of her mother, who died from breast cancer in 2008. The organization provides lifesaving breast health screenings to underserved women in Charlotte.

Sims’ mother, Ruth Elizabeth, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer at 48 years old. She died six years later.

“I promised her I was going to take care of my daughter, Diamond; I was going to try to be the best mom I could be,” Sims said.

Sims is turning her pain into purpose by keeping her mother’s memory alive through her organization, Elizabeth House. It’s named after her mother.

Sims partnered with Novant Health, Invision Diagnostics, and other organizations to provide mobile breast cancer screenings in communities where women lack transportation and health insurance.

“We currently have a backlog that has been going on since 2020 with about 500-plus women that have been on a waitlist for a mammogram,” Sims said.

Sims said cuts to federal public health are causing clinics she partners with to reach out to her nonprofit as an alternative source for funding.

“Because not only are we providing access to those mammograms, but we also provide funding for biopsies and follow-up care so women who are receiving abnormalities in those screenings are also needing funding as well,” Sims said.

Elizabeth House partners with Dove’s Nest, a division of Charlotte Rescue Mission, working with women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Some of the women haven’t had a mammogram in more than 25 years.

“That is the greatest gift; it just calms the mind of many of the women, and we do find abnormalities at times, and we can send them on for treatment and we’ve had people diagnosed with breast cancer while they’ve been staying with us,” Lynn Erdman with Charlotte Rescue Mission said.

Sims said hearing the stories of hope makes every memory that she keeps of her mother in her photo album worth it.

“It’s a form of therapy because I know that every time we’re doing this work, we’re just saving a life, it’s just so precious,” Sims said.

Sims said her mother taught her the power of the pen. She says writing down her thoughts and goals helped her get grants for her nonprofit.

Elizabeth House Foundation is hosting its 3rd Annual Tea Party. The money raised will go toward helping women get access to mammograms and much more. It’s on April 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Eastway Regional Recreation Center.  To learn more, click here. 

For more information about Charlotte Rescue Mission, click here.

Contact Siobhan Riley at sriley@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook and X.

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