Initial Funds Raised Through Handmade Jewelry Sales Then Matched by Company

Each day, the Mammographers at Desert Imaging, an El Paso-owned medical imaging practice, perform mammograms on several dozen patients using the most advanced technology in the marketplace. Their task is no small feat as one in every eight women in the United States will be affected by breast cancer at some point in her life. Until there is a cure, healthy lifestyles coupled with early detection is proving to be the best way to save lives against this pervasive disease.

But when they are not busy saving lives in their exam rooms, Nina Peck and Julie Rodriguez, two of Desert Imaging’s most experienced Mammographers, are busy making beautiful hand-crafted necklaces and bracelets. Since 2015, they purchase the material and put them together piece-by-piece to sell for $5 each at the front desk of Desert Imaging’s four medical imaging centers and on the company’s mobile mammography clinic known as “MOM” for Mammos on the Move. The ladies use the proceeds to help the less fortunate afford the cost of imaging exams and donate the rest to local charity.

At the end of this year, the ladies had $2,000 to donate to charity. When Desert Imaging received word, the company decided to double the size of their contribution to provide an even greater impact to the community. In total, $6,000 was given to three local charities during the month of December. The breakdown is as follows:

1. Operation Noel - $2,500

• i. To provide 167 warm winter jackets for underserved children in El Paso.

2. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services - $2,000

• i. To benefit the “Rainbow Room” that provides children who have been separated from their guardians for safety reasons or who are in foster care with diapers, toys, formula, clothes, cleaning supplies, and food.

3. El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank - $1,500

• i. To provide more than 10,000 meals to hungry El Pasoans, many of whom are receiving food assistance for the first time this year due to the dire economic impact of Covid-19.

We love El Paso

“We love El Paso and our hearts are with those who might need a little bit of help getting by during the holiday season,” said Julie Rodriguez. “We are thankful that Desert Imaging has supported our efforts for the last five years, and we’re thrilled that our leadership decided to match our donation in such a meaningful way as the need across our community has never been greater.”

We serve and love

“Desert Imaging is always looking for ways to support the community that we serve and love,” said Raul Arizpe, President and Chief Operating Officer of Desert Imaging. “Julie and Nina have such great hearts and are dedicated to serving their patients to the very best of their abilities. We are honored to have partnered with them this year to give back to the community that continues to give us so much.”