Care Card Returns to Support Breast Cancer Screening Across Arizona

For 10 days this October, shopping and dining around the Valley will help support access to breast cancer screening. The Board of Visitors Care Card program returns October 16-25, giving shoppers the opportunity to receive discounts at hundreds of participating retailers and restaurants while supporting The BIG Pink Bus, a 3D mobile mammography program operated by Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Care Cards cost $60 and provide shoppers with 20 percent discounts at participating businesses throughout the 10-day event. One hundred percent of Care Card sales will benefit The BIG Pink Bus and its efforts to bring breast cancer screening directly into communities.

The BIG Pink Bus is designed to make mammography more accessible by bringing screening services to locations throughout the community. This year, the mobile program is expected to provide 3,000 mammograms, with 48 percent going to people who are uninsured.

Mammograms have been shown to reduce breast cancer deaths by 40 percent, making access to regular screening an important part of early detection. The need for accessible screening remains significant, with approximately one in eight women expected to be affected by breast cancer during their lifetime.

The Care Card program gives shoppers a way to support that work while also taking advantage of discounts at local businesses. The Care Card has become a longstanding fundraising effort for The Board of Visitors, which has used the program to support charitable organizations throughout the community. Since its inception, the program has raised more than $4 million for local charities.

“Since its inception, the Care Card program has gained momentum and recognition, raising over $4 million for a variety of charities in our community. We are honored to co-chair the largest retail fundraiser in Arizona. Through the amazing support of the community and our wonderful participating retailers, we are confident total donations to The BIG Pink Bus will exceed $1,000,000 this year!” Co-Chairs Catherine Tiffany and Judy Wentworth said.

This year’s Care Card campaign runs from October 16-25, giving participants 10 days to shop, dine and support breast cancer screening in Arizona. Care Cards and a complete list of participating retailers and restaurants are available at thecarecard.org.