Kay Yow Cancer Fund Awards $50,000 Grant to St. Joseph’s/Candler to Expand Breast Cancer Screenings During Flau’jae Johnson’s Giveback Weekend
Raleigh, NC (July 23, 2025) – The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is awarding a $50,000 grant to St. Joseph’s/Candler to expand access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured women across Savannah, Georgia.
The grant supports St. Joseph’s/Candler and its Telfair Mammography Fund, a program that eliminates cost as a barrier to screening for women who might otherwise go without. Through this investment, hundreds of women in the region will gain access to mobile mammograms, early detection services, and breast health education.
The announcement coincides with the annual Back to School Giveback Weekend, hosted by Savannah native and Kay Yow Servant Leader Flau’jae Johnson—LSU basketball star, rapper, and community advocate. For the first time, on-site mobile mammograms will be offered at the event through the Telfair Mobile Mammography Unit from St. Joseph’s/Candler, demonstrating a shared commitment to bringing care directly into the community.
“This grant reflects what can happen when people come together,” said Jenny Palmateer, CEO of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund. “When a community leader like Flau’jae uses her platform, a health system delivers critical services, and an organization like ours helps remove barriers, the result is powerful. This kind of collaboration is exactly what Coach Yow envisioned—and we’re proud to make it real.”
“This Giveback Weekend is about showing up,” said Flau’jae Johnson. “I’ve seen how cancer touches families, and I wanted to help bring care to the people who need it. Everyone deserves a chance to catch it early, stay healthy, and feel supported.”
As part of the weekend, Flau’jae’s nonprofit More To 4 is making a $15,000 contribution to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, helping further its mission to eliminate cancer disparities and ensure that more women—especially in under-resourced communities—can access timely, quality care.
On-site Mammograms at the Giveback Weekend
Friday, July 25 | 3-7 PM
Saturday, July 26 | 2-5 PM
Location: Enmarket Arena Parking Lot
St. Joseph’s/Candler’s Mobile Mammography Unit will offer mammograms to women in the community. Most women qualify for a no-cost mammogram through their insurance each year. For those who are uninsured or underinsured, the Telfair Mammography Fund provides screenings at no cost to those who qualify. This investment is expected to help hundreds of women across the region access screenings they may not otherwise receive.
“We are grateful to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund for helping us bring care directly to those that need it the most in our community,” said Vernice Rackett, Executive Director of St. Joseph’s/Candler Foundations. “Last year, we provided over 430 screening mammograms to women in need. This grant allows us to expand our reach further, ensuring women in our community have no financial barriers to receiving lifesaving screening mammograms.”
Advance registration is required.
Call 912-819-6140 or visit sjchs.org/mobile-mammography to schedule.
Community Celebration: Flau’jae’s Giveback Festival
Saturday, July 26 | 2-5 PM
Location: Enmarket Arena
The weekend culminates in a vibrant, free community festival featuring:
- A live performance by Flau’jae
- Music, bounce houses, and face painting
- Free food and family fun
- Free backpacks, uniforms, and shoes for local students
- Official grant check presentation from the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to St. Joseph’s/Candler
“This event means everything to me,” said Flau’jae Johnson. “Coming back to Savannah and being able to give back—with love, energy, and support—is something I don’t take for granted. This is where my story started, and I want every kid here to feel like their story matters too.”
Continuing Coach Yow’s Mission
This grant and Giveback Weekend reflect the Kay Yow Cancer Fund’s holistic approach to fighting cancer—investing in access to care, uplifting servant leaders, and partnering with healthcare systems that share our commitment to equity. By meeting women where they are and taking action together, the Fund and its partners are advancing a mission rooted in service, hope, and impact.
Together, we are louder, stronger, and unstoppable in the fight against ALL cancers affecting women.
About the Kay Yow Cancer Fund
The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of the organization’s namesake, Kay Yow, former NC State University head women’s basketball coach. Coach Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 before succumbing to the disease on January 24, 2009. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization committed to raising money for life-saving cancer research, underserved programs that provide access to quality cancer healthcare, and uniting people in the fight against all cancers affecting women. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund has awarded $9.5 million in the fight against all cancers affecting women. For more information on the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, or to donate, please visit KayYow.com.
Kay Yow Cancer Fund Contact
Kris Bowen // kris.bowen@kayyow.com