Badger Pride Saves Lives: Arkadelphia High FBLA Champions UAMS MammoVan
| The Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) chapter at Arkadelphia High School is marking its seventh year of supporting the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) MammoVan, a mobile mammography program that provides lifesaving breast cancer screening to women across the Arkansas.
What began as a simple pink T-shirt fundraiser in 2018 has grown into a heartfelt, communitywide initiative during October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
“One day, I mentioned to our communications director that we were planning to sell pink shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Ashley Wesley, Arkadelphia High School business teacher and FBLA sponsor. “She said, ‘Why don’t we make it about more than wearing pink. Let’s do something to help people.’ That’s when I started researching how to offer screening mammograms and learned about the UAMS MammoVan.”
The UAMS MammoVan, operated by the UAMS Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Health, travels to communities statewide to offer 3D screening mammograms — the highest standard mammography technology available and identical to what patients receive at UAMS Health Breast Center in Little Rock.
The program has screened more than 35,000 Arkansas women and logged more than 300,000 miles in its mission to eliminate barriers to cancer screening and early detection of breast cancer.
Arkadelphia’s FBLA chapter has donated nearly $8,000 to support the MammoVan since 2018. Each October, more than 60 student members — some of the school’s top academic achievers — organize fundraising events, host a luncheon for local breast cancer survivors and prepare gift bags for women receiving mammograms during the MammoVan’s annual visit to campus.
“One thing the students love is seeing the expressions on women’s faces when they receive their gift bags,” Wesley said. “We talk to the students about how mammograms aren’t something women necessarily look forward to, but our students are learning how their work can make the experience more positive — and even life changing.”
The impact has been deeply personal for the school community. “One member of our staff was screened on the MammoVan, and breast cancer was found,” Wesley said. “She tells everyone that our students’ efforts saved her life.”
The project also gives students hands-on experience in leadership and service. “They’re learning how to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Wesley said.
The MammoVan’s visits have become an annual tradition in Arkadelphia. Teachers, staff and community members schedule their annual screenings when the van returns each fall.
“I turned 40 last year and had my screening on the van,” Wesley said. As a non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor who was treated at UAMS, Wesley understands the importance of cancer screening and early detection.
Heather Kindy, UAMS MammoVan manager, praised the student’s dedication.
“Ashley and her students are making a huge impact on breast cancer in Arkansas,” Kindy said. “They work tirelessly to gather giveaways for patients and support our screening program. Since our first event in 2018, we’ve screened nearly 150 women in Arkadelphia and found multiple breast cancers. This group is truly saving lives.”
The students’ service has earned statewide recognition. The chapter won first place for community service at the 2023 Arkansas FLBA Conference, qualifying them for nationals in Atlanta.
“It brought some of the judges to tears that our students were taking the time to fight cancer in their community,” said Wesley.
The UAMS MammoVan continues its mission to bring early detection and hope to women across Arkansas, with strong partners like the Arkadelphia High School FBLA helping drive it forward.
“Thank you, Badgers, for seven years of support,” said Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith, M.D., director of the UAMS Health Breast Center and Mobile Mammography Program. “Your efforts are helping bring early detection and hope to women across Arkansas.”
Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, said the program’s growth and partnerships are key to cancer prevention statewide.
“Mobile screening is one of the most powerful tools we have for saving lives through early detection,” Birrer said. “The Cancer Institute has invested $6 million in three new MammoVans to reach even more communities, and the continued support of partners like Arkadelphia High School ensures this work makes a lasting impact.”