Lynchburg Luncheon Raised $27,000 for Cancer Screenings

The 24th annual M.A.A.M. event gathered over 250 attendees to fund local diagnostic services.

Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Philanthropy

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The annual M.A.A.M. Luncheon raised $27,000 in Lynchburg on Thursday to provide free breast cancer screenings for local women. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The 24th annual Mammograms Annually A Must (M.A.A.M.) Luncheon raised $27,000 to provide free breast cancer screenings and diagnostic care in Lynchburg. More than 250 women attended the event held at the University of Lynchburg on Thursday.

Why it matters

One hundred percent of the proceeds are dedicated to providing essential breast health services for local women who cannot otherwise afford them. The funds ensure that diagnostic care remains accessible to the community.

The luncheon raised $27,000, with 100% of proceeds earmarked for free medical services. Last year, similar event proceeds supported diagnostic care for more than 400 women.

The players

Centra

Centra is a regional healthcare system that manages the free mammograms and diagnostic services funded by the event proceeds.

University of Lynchburg

The University of Lynchburg is a private educational institution that hosted the annual luncheon on its campus.

The details

The funds will be invested directly back into the local community to support women seeking breast cancer screenings. The event is organized to prioritize access to medical care through the healthcare provider Centra.

Timeline

  1. The 24th annual M.A.A.M. Luncheon was held on October 8, 2026.

  2. Last year, proceeds from the event provided medical services to more than 400 women.

  3. Stephanie Smith received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023.

Market Landscape

The event highlights how local charitable fundraising functions alongside the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program screening metrics to close gaps in care. This model illustrates the growing reliance on private community support to maintain health equity in local regions.

Residents in need of breast cancer screenings can access diagnostic services through the local provider Centra using these funds. This ensures that essential preventative care remains available regardless of an individual's ability to pay.

The takeaway

Community-led fundraising events play a critical role in sustaining accessible medical services for local residents. These events bridge significant funding gaps and provide life-saving diagnostic screenings for vulnerable populations.

Further reading

Learn more about local efforts to support health equity in Lynchburg Philanthropy.

Source note: This article includes information reported by WSET.

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