Shands Jacksonville will be presented with a check for $100,000 from Research Is The Answer (RITA) on Jan. 12, bringing the foundation’s total gift to the hospital to $1,001,500. This includes a $25,000 grant specifically for the Lymphedema Program at Shands Jacksonville.

The check presentation will take place at 11:30 am at the Shands Jacksonville Breast Health Center, located at 580 W. 8th St., Tower II, fourth floor.

"Affiliated with the University of Florida College of Medicine, Shands Jacksonville is regarded nationally as a top medical institution and premier teaching hospital," said Chuck Jantz, RITA volunteer chair. "The RITA Foundation is pleased to help bring the latest research, protocols and state-of-the-art equipment in the fight against breast cancer to Northeast Florida."

Officials from Rehabilitative Services will use the $25,000 grant to provide compression garments for patients suffering from lymphedema. This grant is extraordinary because the Lymphedema Program is new to Shands Jacksonville, and it supports all patients who need lymphedema therapy — not just breast-cancer survivors.

Previous RITA donations have been used to purchase equipment such as the digital mammography system, I-CAD and the Mammotome Biopsy System.

Please contact Beverly Ivey at 244-9750 by noon Jan. 11 if you plan to attend this event.