KMC raises medical awareness through 'Mammothon' event Published Oct. 27, 2014 By Steve Pivnick 81st Medical Group Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Keesler Medical Center hosted its third annual "Mammothon" Oct. 10. More than 90 hospital staff members pitched in to offer walk-in cancer and preventive health screening and information for beneficiaries of all ages and gender. In addition, 21 Ocean Springs High School cheerleaders and two coaches volunteered to help direct people to clinics for services not available in the auditorium. Maj. (Dr.) Matthew Barchie, 81st Diagnostics and Therapeutics Squadron Mammography Department chief, said, in addition to the medical center staff, several base and local organizations and more than 10 medical center volunteers participated in the event. He noted an informal tabulation showed there were 500 screenings of various types and 89 flu shots administered. "I would term it a tremendous success," Barchie said. "The degree of participation throughout the medical center was inspiring. It became quite pink for the day, all in the effort to raise awareness for breast cancer and specifically breast cancer screening." "The program was expanded this year to involve 22 hospital and base organizations and three civilian community groups," he added. "They provided a wide range of cancer and health screening for men and women. Offering 'one-stop shopping' for walk-in screening hopefully will encourage even greater breast cancer screening participation as people invite their eligible friends and relatives to come with them."