“Doña Luisa is the mother 13 children. An active member in her community, she is a part of several groups dedicated to increasing development and growth opportunities for people in her community, and is known for helping others with a smile on her face.” This is how our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), introduces Luisa, a 50-year-old woman from Guatemala.
WK shares, “Doña Luisa came to one of our women’s health courses to learn about the importance of the pap smear and cervical cancer detection and prevention. Cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among women in this country. However, access to the exam and results follow-up is not common, especially in rural indigenous communities.”
Unfortunately, Luisa’s exam revealed lesions on her cervix. WK’s doctors want Luisa to receive a colposcopy to remove abnormal areas and identify the severity of cancerous or precancerous cells.
WK continues, “This exam is expensive and requires her to travel to INCAN in Guatemala City. Without support, Doña Luisa will not receive the medical care she needs to diagnosis and potentially treat this lethal disease. If the biopsy reveals aggressive cancer that cannot be completely removed during the colposcopy, she will have our team to help her obtain the appropriate follow-up treatment.”
With $210, we can fund Luisa’s trip to Guatemala City to undergo a colposcopy. This exam will decide if Luisa needs additional treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.), and will also act as a treatment tool by removing all accessible abnormal regions. If all cancerous or precancerous areas are removed during the colposcopy Luisa will be able to return to her normal life. She will be able to spend time with her children and continue to support her family economically.
“Doña Luisa is a rock in her community,” WK reports, “and so this exam will allow her to have the peace of mind she needs to continue working for the good of others. If she does indeed need further treatment, she will have the support of our team to help her through the process. Her family will not take on the large financial burden of struggling to afford her treatment.”
Luisa shares, “I am worried about my results, but know that without your help I would have no way of removing it (the lesions). Thank you for what you have taught me, I am ready to find out what we can do to fix this.”