WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital Kicks Off $1.5M Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Screening Technologies | News, Sports, Jobs

(Photo provided) A new $1.5 million fundraising campaign aims to help upgrade radiology equipment for breast cancer screenings at WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital.

NEW MARTINSVILLE – WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital, in partnership with the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, is launching a $1.5 million fundraising campaign to enhance its radiology department.

The first goal of this campaign is to provide local access to cutting-edge breast cancer screening technologies for women in the area. Spearheading the project is Fawn Price, former director of Radiology at Wetzel County Hospital and a resident of New Martinsville.

“It’s about more than just equipment; it’s about providing peace of mind and essential healthcare services to the women in our community,” Price said today. “Having access to 3D mammography services locally can make a significant difference in early detection and treatment outcomes.”

The campaign recently received a tremendous boost with a generous anonymous lead gift of $50,000 from a local Wetzel County resident. The donation, as well as funds currently in the Wetzel County Hospital Fund at the CFOV, will be used toward the purchase of new ultrasound and mammography equipment to aid in screening for breast cancer. The hospital has budgeted to cover the remaining costs to purchase the initial breast cancer screening equipment this fall, but plans to continue radiology equipment enhancements at the hospital with additional equipment that will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in total.

“Technology in healthcare equipment continues to advance,” said the hospital’s AVP Clinical Services Jessica Huffman, DNP, RN. “Upgrading to state-of-the-art equipment with enhanced diagnostic capabilities, like the 3D mammogram Wetzel County Hospital is purchasing, means that patients will not need to travel for care.”

“Nearly one in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime,” Huffman said. “It is important for women to undergo regular screenings, like getting a mammogram. We are committed to providing high quality breast cancer screening equipment that can detect breast cancer at earlier stages when it’s more treatable and when the chances for surviving are higher.

“As a current patient myself with breast cancer, I am very proud of our community, the Community Foundation, hospital leaders, and our hospital board of directors for partnering on this initiative to take care of the people of Wetzel County and surrounding areas.”

To support the radiology equipment fund, tax-deductible donations from the community in support of this vital cause can be made by check or online at

Make checks payable to CFOV with “Wetzel County Hospital Radiology” in the memo line and mail to: CFOV, 1226 Chapline St., Wheeling, WV 26003.