This Valentines Day, instead of diamonds and chocolate, one couple challenges you to give the gift of life. Life Gift Cards (LGC), a groundbreaking health and wellness gift card for medical services, has recently launched a product offering for mammograms.
About one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, according to BreastCancer.org, and early detection is the key to saving lives. Unfortunately, millions of Americans are uninsured and cannot afford a mammogram. A startling 49.9 million Americans had no health insurance in 2010 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
I was able to interview LGC founders Joseph Truscelli and Michelle Marte.
How was LGC started? What was the original inspiration?
Joey: We wanted to do something that would make a difference.
Michelle and I were high school classmates and while her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last December, fate brought us back together. I unfortunately lost a good friend of mine to breast cancer, Sue Voges, an Illinois State Trooper who served for 22 years, so I knew how difficult it was to watch a loved one go through breast cancer treatment.
Fortunately, because of a mammogram, Michelle’s mother’s life was saved due to an early diagnosis. We both knew that mammograms were a critical component of breast cancer awareness, prevention and treatment, but it was at that moment we decided to take action in order to provide women with the opportunity to take back their health, through Life Gift Cards.
Together, we decided to build this incredible platform and we felt that mammography was a perfect place to begin.
How is LGC connected to medical professionals? Have they generally been receptive to the idea?
Michelle: We have a patent pending on our process connecting Life Gift Cards to providers nationwide.
The medical providers have been not only receptive, but also encouraged and excited by the prospect of being able to reach more people in need of their services that don't have the means to pay for them.
What if a center typically charges more than the $250 fee?
Although every state is different, we try our hardest to keep a flat fee for all. However, if a center charges more than $250, we make every effort possible and put our best foot forward, to work along side of our provider partners to insure that it will be affordable across the nation.
Is the site looking into other types of screening services to offer, or will it stick to mammograms?
We are currently rolling out a Wellness Physical Exam card and a Prostate Screening Card. Our hope for the very near future is that consumers will be able to purchase prescriptions, laboratory screenings and dental cards along with other medical services.
You can read more here.
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