Summary of Accomplishments

With proceeds from the 2011 events, the total net revenue raised should reach more than $8.7 million. Funds raised by WPFT have provided critical services and programs including:

Helical Tomotherapy

Proceeds from 2002 and 2003 were combined to meet an $800,000 pledge toward helical tomotherapy.  This technology has become a new technique for administering radiation therapy and is currently being used to treat breast, lung, prostate, head, and neck cancers.  MD Anderson– Orlando will be increasingly using tomotherapy for the treatment of gynecological cancers and other pelvic cancers.  The faculty has received national attention for their published scientific work on tomotherapy.  In addition, a new technique called radio surgery is in the research phase for small brain tumors.  This work would not have been possible without the support of Women Playing For T.I.M.E.

Sheila Solomon Women's Health Center at MD Anderson - Orlando

In 1993, Women Playing For T.I.M.E. raised $85,000 of the revenue needed to create this center.  WPFT funds have now raised more than $2 million toward the center, which was renamed in honor of WPFT co-founder Sheila Solomon in 2003.

Patient Transport Vans

Many patients cannot afford bus or cab fare to and from MD Anderson– Orlando while undergoing treatment– sometimes as often as five times a week.  Women Playing For T.I.M.E. has provided more than $500,000 since 1998 toward the purchase, maintenance and fuel for two vans and employs two drivers to see that these men and women get to their appointments and have every chance for survival.  In 2005, WPFT’s two vans were joined by two additional Orlando Health transport vans to expand the much needed transportation services offered to MD Anderson –Orlando patients. Each van logged an average of 20,000 miles to transport grateful patients who otherwise would not be able to make it to their appointments.  Last year’s combined expenses were approximately $55,000.

Harriett's a Place Breast Cancer Patients Call Their Own

On April 10, 2006 Women Playing For T.I.M.E. opened Harriett’s, an on-site gift shop inside the new Breast Care Center at Orlando Regional Medical Center.  Named after local philanthropist Harriett Lake who pledged $500,000 over five years to build and maintain this service. Harriett's is designed to look like a retail store where patients will find scarves, hats, post-mastectomy camisoles, self-help books and other-items that carry no price tag.  Each woman newly diagnosed with cancer and treated at MD Anderson – Orlando is invited to choose a complimentary item of her choice.  Additional items are available for a donation.  Harriett’s is run entirely by WPFT.

Breast Cancer Research and Equipment

Women Playing For T.I.M.E. has provided more than $1 million dollars toward research and development at MD Anderson – Orlando.  In addition, the Cancer Research Institute is continually conducting clinical trials and researching improved ways to treat cancer. A partnership with Burnham Institute and University of Central Florida will help them continue to work toward finding a cure.

Community Outreach

Women Playing For T.I.M.E.’s community outreach programs include providing breast self-exam shower cards to Central Florida’s OB/GYN physicians to distribute to their patients during Breast Cancer Awareness month and throughout the year.  We also offered lunch and learn programs featuring guest speakers who are physicians on staff at MD Anderson– Orlando and breast cancer survivors who speak at community events.

Digital Mammography

October 1, 2009, the Women's Imaging Radiology Department had a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the newly installed digital mammography units. Women Playing For T.I.M.E. raised $930,000 toward the $2.5 million dollar expense and were there to celebrate the opening. Digital mammography is now available at all Orlando Health facilities that offer this service.