Bridgeport Hospital Primary Care Center received a $250,000 grant that will go toward hiring more support staff and offer preventative cancer screenings.

The center treats around 5,000 patients a year, including people who have Medicaid, the underserved population and the most vulnerable population of Bridgeport.

Dr. Manisha Gupta says patients in Bridgeport often don't get preventative care like breast, colon, and cervical cancer screenings as much as others in the rest of Connecticut.

The grant was funded by the Elizabeth M. Pfriem Foundation which the primary care center.

The Pfriem Foundation is hoping the donation will encourage others to support the center, too.

Bridgeport Hospital Foundation president Steve Jakab says patients will have a much better chance at improving their health outcomes and their health overall.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.