Maria is a mother from Guatemala. She lives near Lake Atitlán in rural Guatemala. Maria is a mother of eight children, the youngest of whom is 22 years old.
Maria underwent a pap smear test with the nurses in our medical partner’s women’s health program, and the results of her pap came back positive. Though Maria does not currently have symptoms, she still needs to undergo a colposcopy, which is a guided biopsy procedure that removes affected areas of the cervix. A colposcopy is often curative for cancerous or precancerous lesions of the cervix, and it is therefore is the best way to prevent the spread of cervical cancer.
With $218 in funding, Maria will consult with a specialist who will perform the colposcopy. Even if cancer or pre-cancer is found in her biopsy results, this procedure is often curative. She will be able to return home to her family free from worry. The procedure is scheduled for January 16.
Maria says, “I feel well and I am grateful for this support. Many thanks to you all from me and my family.”