About Us

About Us

In August 2005, a group of women gathered together to work on a raffle to raise money for breast cancer patients in our area. Our efforts quickly snowballed into forming a Women's Health Organization.

WHIIMS (Women's Health Issues In Miami-Valley Sisterhood is a one-of-a-kind, unique, non-profit organization that provides emergency funds to save, prolong or enhance the life of a woman you may know.

Our mission is to provide emergency services, awareness, education and fundraising for women's health issues, one of which will likely affect or has already affected the loved ones in you life - wives, daughters, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, cousins and friends.

We network with numerous medical and service providers in our area to provide assistance through our emergency voucher system. Our Board and WHIIMS committees consist of doctors, medical, financial and other skilled professionals who volunteer their time and support of this cause. The Distribution Committee can provide women in our community with funds within several days. Please know that the needs are extensive, even for those who are insured. These dollars will go a long way toward the purchase of medicines, medical procedures, prosthetic devices, wigs, etc.

Where We've Been

On November 11, 2005, WHIIMS held their first official education and fundraising event focusing on breast cancer awareness. The event was a rousing success with over $25,000 being raised to support WHIIMS' mission. The speakers were both inspiring and informative. Dr.'s Skinner and Gaeke, Middletown oncologists, talked about women in our area needing financial assistance with the economic burdens associated with their medical conditions and how the resources provided by WHIIMS will serve these women in a way no other current organization does. An anonymous case study presented by Dr. Gaeke personalized these needs. Sue Buchanan, our featured speaker, discussed her personal experience with breast cancer in a comical and uplifting fashion, bringing everyone to tears from laughter no sadness. The event also included 17 health and wellness booths.

Over 280 women attended the event and many of those in attendance were either undergoing breast cancer treatment or were survivors. The response of those attending, both in words and actions, showed what a powerful impact this educational event had on the participants.

The success of this event can be attributed to our generous sponsors, the hard work of the committee and willingness of area women to participate.

Where We Are Going

The great news is that we are an official non-profit group. Since the luncheon, committee members have been hard at work developing the protocol for distributing of funds. The goal was to put together a system that allows those in need of funds to get them when they need them yet assures that those receiving assistance have a genuine need. Currently three hubs have been established where women can apply for assistance - Middletown Regional Hospital - Social Services, Signal Point Hematology/Oncology, Inc and Medical Associates of Middletown. Applicants can receive a voucher within a day's time.

Vouchers are redeemable at Friends of WHIIMS businesses - The Medicine Shoppe; Personal Touch Apparel, Ltd; Jags; Silhouette's and a variety of other providers as they are identified. In addition to providing funds, WHIIMS asks that recipients meet with our peer counselor who will be available to help them contact other groups that can provide financial assistance. With everything in place, assistance has already been provided to several women in our community.

Our Board & Committees have grown. We are working with the Department of Human Services to help WHIIMS get medical cards. We have also notified our State Representatives of our mission and healthcare concerns, and hope they will present at our next event to offer a proclamation.