YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The Mahoning Valley has one of the highest breast cancer mortality rates in the state.

Now, there's a new state-of-the-art facility in Youngstown to help women battle the deadly disease.

For Dr. Rashid Abdu, the new Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center is nothing short of a dream come true.

Eighteen years ago the surgeon's wife, Joanie, lost her battle with breast cancer.

"I promised her I would do everything I could to help establish a comprehensive breast care center here in our Valley," said Dr. Abdu.

Fundraising for the project has been ongoing for the past three years. The total cost of the project was $8 million, with $4.5 million for construction, and the rest for state-of-the art equipment which includes molecular breast imaging and 3D digital mammography.

"None of those things were available unless you went to Cleveland or Pittsburgh," said Robert Shroder, President and CEO of Humility of Mary Health Partners. "Now you don't have to do that."

To help patients determine their best treatment options, a team of specialists will meet every week to discuss each breast cancer patient's case individually.

"Having breast cancer is very, very different than having other types of cancers," said Dr. Nancy Gantt, the Co-Medical Director of the breast care center. "It really requires having a multi-disciplinary approach."

It's a life-saving approach in memory of Joanie Abdu. "She would be very happy. Very happy," Dr. Abdu said.

Doctors will begin seeing patients at the new facility on November 14th. A public open house is scheduled for Saturday, November 5th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.