Seven years ago, the national ACS asked my division to partner with a small NGO in Bolivia. Since then, we have been providing technical assistance and a small grant.
Many of you may not have any idea where Bolivia is or what it is like. Bolivia is a land locked country in northern South America. A country of 8.5 million people, many of the people represent indigenous tribes. La Paz, the biggest city in Bolivia, is located at about 12,000 feet above sea level. To get there, you have to land at the world’s highest airport in El Alto.
Over the years, the Bolivian people have warmed my heart. They are hard-working and poor. Today, five women will have died from cervical cancer. Every day, five women die from cervical cancer. Bolivia has the second highest mortality rate in the Western Hemisphere, after Haiti.
Working over the past years with the Fundacion Boliviana contra el Cancer in La Paz, we have helped the country to develop a comprehensive plan to address women’s cancers. The plan calls for screening and treatment to be available nationwide.
As part of our efforts, I have been trying since 2007 to get a team of US physicians to Bolivia to train Bolivian physicians in doing colposcopy, an early detection exam for cervical cancer. This weekend, a team of four physicians will be flying to La Paz for the week to train over 20 physicians. At the same time, there will be a training held for lay health workers on an exciting awareness program, Con Amor Aprendemos. The lay health workers will learn how to teach couples about the importance of early detection for cervical cancer. This program, developed by the ACS and Emory University, has been adopted by the Bolivian government as the official awareness activity.
Meanwhile, over the past year, one of my friends, a pathologist, has been able to locate all of the equipment for a pathology laboratory. I have been working for one year to get all the signoffs and approvals needed to get this equipment to Bolivia. Yesterday, I received the last letter I need.
I am honored to be able to go to Bolivia next week and be part of the trainings of both physicians and lay health workers. I am proud to know that persistence, patience and fortitude have paid off and that with the help of my friends, we are truly making a difference in this world. Our work in Bolivia will, and does, save lives every day.
