The Mammovan Is Doing Breast Cancer Screenings This Week, and the Welcome Sign Goes Pink Oct. 21

by Ryan Rose

What Happened

FOX5 Las Vegas reported on Oct. 16 that the Mammovan would make two stops in the valley the following week, and that appointments were still available. Here are the details in one place:

Stop 1: Wednesday, Oct. 21, at Ellis Island Casino and Hotel on Koval Lane, 7:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

Stop 2: Friday, Oct. 23, at Westgate Resorts on Paradise Road, 7:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.

To book: Call 1-877-581-6266 and select option one.

FOX5 reported that the screenings are mainly for women 40 and older. Women under 40 may qualify if they have a referral from a health care provider. Nevada Health Centers accepts most major insurance plans, plus Medicaid and Medicare. FOX5 also reported that screenings are available regardless of a woman's financial circumstances. So if money is the thing holding you back, call and ask. Do not assume you cannot go.

On the same day, a second event will bring the color pink to one of the most famous spots in town. FOX5 reported that Commission Chairman Michael Naft will host a ceremony at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The ceremony recognizes Susan G. Komen Nevada for its work supporting people facing breast cancer across the state. The sign will glow pink to thank the patients, caregivers and volunteers who make that support possible.

"Organizations like Susan G. Komen play a vital role in ensuring that no one has to face the fight against breast cancer alone," Naft said in the FOX5 report. Allyce Pierson, Komen's development director for Nevada, said the moment is about "honoring breast cancer survivors, remembering loved ones, supporting patients currently in treatment, and bringing our community together."

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign lit up in pink, the same color it will glow on Oct. 21, 2026 to honor Susan G. Komen Nevada

Why It Matters to Las Vegas Residents

Most of us know we should get screened. The hard part is actually doing it. Between work, kids, traffic and the wait for an appointment, a mammogram is easy to push to next month, and then the month after that. A mobile unit that parks at a central spot for a full workday makes it a lot easier to fit in.

Both stops are in the Paradise area, just east of the Strip. That is close to a huge number of jobs. If you work in a hotel, a casino, a restaurant or an office in the resort corridor, you may be able to book a slot before a shift or on a break. For people who live in the east valley, Spring Valley or Henderson, it is a short drive. The 7:40 a.m. start also helps early risers who want to get it done before work.

The payment setup matters, too. FOX5 reported that Nevada Health Centers takes most major insurance, Medicaid and Medicare, and that screenings are available regardless of a woman's financial situation. That covers a lot of people. If you are between jobs, self-employed, or just not sure what your plan covers, the phone call is the place to ask. The staff can tell you what applies to you.

And early detection is the whole point. FOX5 noted that doctors say regular screenings and early detection improve the chances of successful treatment. A screening that takes part of one morning can make a real difference down the road.

The pink sign is about community. The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is the image the whole world connects with our city. When it turns pink, it is a visible way of telling every family touched by breast cancer that the valley is behind them. For a lot of locals, that sign is also a reminder to check on a mom, a sister, a wife or a friend and ask, "Have you been screened this year?"

Background and History

The Mammovan has been on the road for a long time. According to Nevada Health Centers, the mobile mammography unit began operating in 2000. The health center says it was made possible through a grant secured by former Senator John Ensign and former First Lady of Nevada Dema Guinn. Nevada Health Centers describes the van as traveling to all areas of the state to provide mammograms to women 40 and older, with and without insurance.

Direct Relief, a nonprofit that profiled the program in December 2025, described the Mammovan as a converted semi-truck. Its route stretches across the state, from Las Vegas to Reno, a drive of about seven hours, and then about four more hours to Elko. Direct Relief reported that the program screens nearly 3,000 women each year, including women in rural areas, Native American communities, and people experiencing homelessness.

The Nevada Health Centers Mammovan, a converted semi-truck that brings mobile mammography screenings to communities across Nevada

The program is funded in several ways. Direct Relief reported that support comes from the state, from donors and charity partners, and from Nevada's pink ribbon license plates. Those plates bring in about $100,000 a year. Each plate purchase sends $25 to the program, and each renewal sends $21. Direct Relief also reported that two full-time caseworkers help patients who need follow-up testing and care after a screening.

Direct Relief quoted Lisa Dettling, Nevada Health Centers' executive vice president of ancillary services, who has directed the group's mobile operations for more than a decade. Her stated goal is breast cancer screening for every woman 40 and older. The profile also shared the story of a patient named Brenda Robinson. She had a lump in her breast for two years before an ad for the Mammovan got her in for a screening. She was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer that had spread to her lymph nodes, and she started chemotherapy. Her story is a hard one, but it shows exactly why the van exists: to reach women who might not otherwise get checked.

The Mammovan's success has also helped Nevada Health Centers grow its mobile work. Direct Relief reported that the group has added four more mobile units for other services, including pediatric dental care and medical care for homeless and trafficked youth. The idea is the same across all of them. Bring care to where people already are.

Susan G. Komen Nevada is the other half of this week's story. Komen supports people facing breast cancer through research, education, early detection and patient support, according to Naft's remarks in the FOX5 report. Komen also runs a Breast Care Helpline that Nevadans can reach at 877-465-6636, and FOX5 reported that Spanish-speaking staff are available.

Lighting the Welcome sign in a special color is a way Clark County marks causes and big moments. It is a simple gesture, but it reaches a lot of people. Residents, visitors and everyone scrolling through photos online will see it.

What Happens Next

The two Mammovan stops are Wednesday and Friday of this week. If you want a slot, call soon. Once you book, Nevada Health Centers says to watch for a text or email with a link to preregister before your visit. The health center also asks patients to fill out its mammography patient form. Doing both ahead of time can make your visit quicker.

If this week does not work for you, the Mammovan keeps moving. Nevada Health Centers posts a schedule calendar on its website, and the same phone number can help you find a later date. According to the health center, option 2 on that line is for results or medical records, and option 3 is for requesting the Mammovan at your location. That last option is worth knowing if you run a business, a church group or a community center that could host a stop.

The pink sign ceremony is set for 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Breast Cancer Awareness Month runs through the end of October, so expect more pink around town, at sporting events, and in local businesses over the next couple of weeks.

The valley has already seen some of that this month. We covered how Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer brought Scott Hamilton and PWHL Las Vegas players to City National Arena, one of several local events raising awareness and support for people fighting cancer. The Mammovan stops and the pink sign are the next pieces of that same push, and they come with something concrete you can do right away: book a screening.

One practical tip if you plan to go: call early in the week. Mobile units have a set number of time slots each day, and an announcement on the news can fill them faster than usual. If both stops are full, ask the scheduler about the next date in the valley so you do not lose momentum. The goal is to get on a calendar, even if it is not this exact week.

Ryan's Take

This one is not a real estate story, and that is fine. I write about what is happening in the valley because my clients and neighbors live here, not just because they own homes here. Health is the foundation for everything else. You cannot enjoy a new house, a growing family or a long retirement in Henderson or Summerlin if you put off the checkups that keep you healthy.

What I like about the Mammovan is how practical it is. It goes to people instead of making people come to it. That is the same idea behind a lot of good community services. If you are one of the many women in this valley who keeps meaning to schedule a mammogram, this is your nudge. And if you know someone who has been putting it off, send her this post. A short call this week could matter a lot.

I also like seeing the Welcome sign used this way. Locals do not visit it very often. It is usually the backdrop for tourist photos. But on days like Oct. 21, it belongs to us. It turns into a message from the people who live here to the families going through something hard. That is the side of Las Vegas that visitors rarely see, and it is a big reason so many people who move here end up staying.

Two hands passing a pink paper ribbon, the symbol of breast cancer awareness during October

What You Can Do

Book a screening. Call 1-877-581-6266 and choose option one. Ask about the Oct. 21 stop at Ellis Island on Koval Lane or the Oct. 23 stop at Westgate on Paradise Road. Both run from 7:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. Have your insurance, Medicaid or Medicare information ready if you have it. If you do not have coverage, tell the staff and ask about your options. If you are under 40, check with your health care provider first, since you may need a referral.

Get ready before you go. After you book, watch your phone and email for the preregistration link from Nevada Health Centers. Fill out the patient form ahead of time so check-in goes faster. Give yourself a little extra time for parking at the casino or resort.

Spread the word. Many women put screenings off because they are busy or worried about cost. Share the dates with your friends, coworkers and family. If you or someone you love has questions or needs support after a diagnosis, Komen's Breast Care Helpline is 877-465-6636, with Spanish-speaking staff available.

Quick Answers

Where is the Mammovan this week? Ellis Island Casino and Hotel on Koval Lane on Wednesday, Oct. 21, and Westgate Resorts on Paradise Road on Friday, Oct. 23.

What time? 7:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. both days.

Who can go? Mainly women 40 and older. Women under 40 may qualify with a referral from a health care provider.

How does payment work? Nevada Health Centers accepts most major insurance plans, Medicaid and Medicare, and screenings are available regardless of a woman's financial circumstances, according to FOX5. Ask about your own situation when you call.

How do I book? Call 1-877-581-6266 and select option one.

When does the sign turn pink? The ceremony at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 8 a.m.

And on Wednesday, look for the pink sign. Snap a photo if you drive by, and use it as a reminder to check in on the women in your life.

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on a sunny day, the landmark that lights up pink on Oct. 21 for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Have questions about how this affects your home or neighborhood? Reach out to Ryan Rose or text/call 702-747-5921 anytime. Ryan Rose | Real Broker, LLC | 702-747-5921 | ryan@rosehomeslv.com | rosehomeslv.com