Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.® hosts COVID-19 Testing and Mammogram Screenings in Metro Atlanta
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® (AKA) will host two free mammogram screenings and COVID-19 testing on Friday, Jan. 15, in Clarkson, GA and Saturday, Jan. 16, in Atlanta, GA during their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Days of Service Weekend observance. Each event will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with Friday’s event being hosted by Tahoe Village Shopping Center and Saturday’s hosted by Cascade United Methodist Church. Masks are required and social distancing will be enforced at both locations.
During these mobile screening events, participants will be able to acquire free mammogram screening, COVID-19 testing, blood drive/antibody testing, as well as vaccine and medical research information. These health screenings are provided through a partnership between Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), LIFESOUTH Community Blood Centers, Cascade United Methodist Church and All of Us Research Program, as well as the 16 AKA chapters located throughout the Metro Atlanta area. Mammogram screenings will be provided on the state of the art Alpha Kappa Alpha 3-D mobile breast cancer awareness screening coach.
Alpha Kappa Alpha was awarded a $50,000 grant by the Abbott Foundation to provide COVID – 19 “PoP – Up” health programs across the United States in 2021. Atlanta was chosen as the city for the inaugural event. Other cities selected to receive these services will include Chicago, Washington DC, Minneapolis, Kansas City, Pittsburg and Mt. Bayou, MS where Alpha Kappa Alpha lead the Mississippi Health Project during the great depression.
Alpha Kappa Alpha will collaborate with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), faith based communities, and local organizations in black and brown low-income communities to assist families in obtaining facts regarding the importance of COVID – 19 testing, donation of plasma, COVID vaccine, data tracking, health literacy and following CDC guidelines.
“Alpha Kappa Alpha continues to raise community awareness of critical issues impacting the African American community,” said International President and CEO Dr. Glenda Glover. Through our program target, Women’s Health and Wellness, we partner with other organizations who also have a vested interest in the health and well-being of African American women and the health concerns that affect them,” Dr. Glover added. “We hope that health will be your number one resolution for 2021.”
The free COVID-19 testing will be provided by CORE. Mammogram screenings can be scheduled by making an appointment online at www.assuredimaging.com/AKA or by calling (888) 233-6121. Mammograms are available at no cost if you are at least 40 years of age, have not had a previous mammogram in the past year, and have no current breast problems or complaints. Women between the ages of 35 to 39 can receive one baseline mammogram screening without an order.
CDC guidelines for COVID-19 will be enforced during these events. Social distancing and wearing a mask are required. Free masks and hand sanitizer will be available.
