From a time long before pink ribbons covered the landscape, Dorothy and Dr. Dixie’s passionate advocacy established The Rose as an acclaimed model of breast health care. From mammograms to biopsies to treatment, The Rose excels in advanced digital imaging, mobile mammography, patient navigation, and medical excellence.
Since its launch in 1986, The Rose has served nearly 800,000 patients and is now the leading nonprofit breast health care organization in southeast Texas. Our board-certified radiologists, specialized technical staff, five Mammography Coaches, and Diagnostic Imaging Centers give access to treatment to more than 40,000 women annually.
Our Mission & History
Fueled by frustration and driven by passion, the lives of Dorothy Weston Gibbons and Dr. Dixie Melillo have been filled with firsts.
Dorothy established the first PR department at Bayshore Medical Center where she first met Dr. Dixie, one of the first female surgeons to graduate from UTMB. With camera in hand, Dorothy began to chronicle the startling number of women with late-stage breast cancer coming to see Dr. Dixie. Frustrated that breast cancer awareness and access to care were sorely lacking, the two women started their quest to educate. Soon they established The Rose, the first nonprofit breast cancer organization based on the insured covering the costs of the uninsured. The Rose has been in operation since 1986.
“Saving lives through quality breast health services, advocacy,
and access to care for all.”
The Rose reduces deaths from breast cancer by providing access to screening, diagnostics and treatment services to any woman regardless of her ability to pay. The Rose addresses any barrier that might keep a woman from caring for her own needs. Studies show women often put personal needs on hold while tending to the needs of others. Many women cite costs and lack of access as reasons they delay preventive services. Yet early detection mammography screenings are the most powerful weapons in the fight against breast cancer—which is 98% curable when detected early.
Every service offered by The Rose is available to the uninsured through one of many sponsorship programs. In fact, the whole purpose of the Empower Her® Sponsorship Program is to ensure any woman has access to breast cancer screening, diagnosis and care. From the initial screening mammogram through diagnostic procedures such as ultrasound and biopsies, as well as access to treatment—all are part of the quality breast health care offered at The Rose.
The Rose is ready to be your resource for breast health information and more. Established in 1986, The Rose knows the value of serving the community and receiving the support of the community. Whether it’s providing a meeting space for another nonprofit, partnering with a corporation or clinic to offer on-site mammography through our mobile units or ensuring quality care for our patients, we’re here for you.
Most women only need to visit The Rose once a year. An annual mammogram offers 7 out of 8 women peace of mind. For that 8th woman, The Rose provides compassionate care from screenings to diagnostics to navigation to treatment as well as support groups.
Early detection of breast cancer greatly improves the treatment options, chances for successful treatment, and most importantly, survival. American Cancer Society Guidelines for the early detection of breast cancer include three types of examinations: annual mammograms, clinical breast examinations and monthly breast self-examinations.
- Age 20 and older: Conduct monthly breast self-examinations and have clinical breast examinations at least every 3 years.
- Age 40 and older: Conduct monthly breast self-examinations, have clinical breast examinations at every year and have annual mammogram.
Women under age 40 with a family history of breast cancer and other concerns about their personal risk should consult a trained medical professional about risk assessment and when to begin screening mammography.
With early detection, breast cancer survival rate is 98%.
We air a podcast twice a week … Let’s Talk About Your Breasts.
https://therose.org/podcasts/
12700 N. Featherwood, Suite 260
Houston, Texas 77034
(281) 484-4708
(281) 484-5626 (Fax)
6575 West Loop South, Suite 275
Bellaire, Texas 77401
(281) 484-4708
(713) 668-3173 (Fax)
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