FUNDESO

Costa Rica’sHealth, Wellness

& Yoga Mini-Mag

free copy |

September / October 2018

H O W L E R M A G . C O M # s e a r c h f i n d h o w l

PURA VIDA - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

FUNDESO fundraising walk organized by ANDE (National Association of Educators).

FEATURE ARTICLE

by Howler Staff

Breast cancer patients with limited resources can apply for financial assistance.

A Pioneer in Costa Rica’s Breast Cancer Fight

Fundacion Nacional de Solidaridad Contra

el Cancer de Mama (FUNDESO) has been fiercely fighting on multiple fronts in Costa Rica’s battle against breast cancer for more than 35 years. The oldest non-profit, non-governmental organization of its kind was created by Elena Sikora de Schifter and a group of San José women in 1983. Having no social security or health ministry funding, nor affiliation with any public entity, the foundation remains true to its volunteer roots.

Everyone involved with FUNDESO’s important work contributes whatever time and effort they can for the benefit of a common cause. The primary purpose is twofold:

• to educate Costa Ricans about breast cancer so it can be detected at the earliest possible stage; and

• to support breast cancer patients and their families during treatment and recovery.

Education

With education being a key aspect of the fight against breast cancer, FUNDESO seeks to communicate as widely as possible with Costa Ricans throughout the country. No request for an educational presentation goes unanswered, regardless of audience size or location. Over the years, FUNDESO speakers have participated in a wide range of large and small group events organized by community leaders, health centers, educational and

Photos courtesy of Florencia Gelman

financial institutions, private companies, public offices, churches and temples. Although no presentation fee is charged, financial support may sometimes be necessary to cover the cost of transportation, lodging and meals for the participating volunteers.

Depending on the time and space available for each talk, FUNDESO strives to inform audiences as thoroughly as possible about early detection of breast cancer, including warning symptoms, the importance of selfexamination and how to perform it. Typically, audiences will also hear testimony from a breast cancer survivor, and time permitting, information on risk factors and nutrition. An overview of FUNDESO’s services to breast cancer patients and their families is also provided, and background on the organization’s history, mission and vision.

As an extension of its educational mandate, the foundation also accepts as many invitations as it can to participate at health fairs across Costa Rica.

Early detection emphasis

Recognizing that early detection of breast cancer can make a life-or-death difference, FUNDESO focuses on promptness and effectiveness in responding to everyone needing attention.

Patients make a small contribution — 10,000 colones — for referral as soon as possible to a high-quality radiology diagnostic

4 | #searchfindhowl| online howlermag.com

facility, and to an oncology specialist who collaborates with FUNDESO regarding the radiology results and patient’s clinical assessment.

Whenever possible, consulting specialists work in a hospital that is relatively convenient for patients to visit. Patients can also choose a radiology facility and package of diagnostic exams according to location or price. A variety of mammography and/or ultrasound options are offered to FUNDESOreferred patients at several specialized laboratories, sometimes at discounted prices. Additionally, breast biopsy services may be available at below-market costs.

Thanks to donations from corporate sponsors, breast cancer patients with limited resources can apply for financial assistance from FUNDESO to help pay for diagnostic tests and specialist care.

Comprehensive rehabilitation services

FUNDESO provides a comprehensive range of rehabilitation services for breast cancer patients and their families. A commitment to emotional well-being is evident at all stages of the physical healing journey.

It starts with a visit to hospitalized breast cancer patients awaiting or recovering from surgery. A FUNDESO volunteer offers words of encouragement and hope, perhaps sharing stories of what other women have experienced. In addition to this emotional and psychological support, advice may be offered on post-surgery self-care and management, for example, when arm movement is affected.

Breast cancer patients are also invited to participate in FUNDESO’s self-help program. Emotional support is available through self-

Breast cancer survivors and FUNDESO support group volunteers in Nov. 2017 at a fundraising fashion show.

FUNDESO volunteer Ines Gutierrez talks to representatives of Avon, a major foundation sponsor.

#searchfindhowl HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 5

PURA VIDA - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

help support groups, or even individual appointments in crisis circumstances, using the services of three volunteers with professional expertise in psychology.

The foundation also offers physical therapy for breast cancer patients who have undergone surgery. Three physiotherapists volunteer two days a week to work in a specially designed space helping patients alleviate pain and grow physically and emotionally stronger.

Also from an emotional healing standpoint, FUNDESO plays a vital role in helping women cope with the sometimes socially isolating side effects of breast cancer treatment relating to self-image and confidence. A turban and wig rental service is available for women undergoing treatment, while breast prostheses and special brassieres may be purchased at cost.

Foundation sponsors

FUNDESO is grateful for the generosity of these sponsors in making its volunteer programs and services possible:

• Avon

• Payless ShoeSource

• SwissJust

• Inmobiliaria San Juan

• Allergan, Ingelectra

• Central de Mangueras

• Salerm

• Sardimar

• Laica

• Plaza Real Cariari

• Televisora de Costa Rica S.A.

• Walmart

• MERCASA

Educational talk for Citibank employees, Oct 2017.

Elena Sikora Hostel

A cornerstone of FUNDESO’s legacy of caring for Costa Rican breast cancer patients is the Elena Sikora Shelter. Equipped with 14 beds, the hostel provides free accommodations and meals for women traveling to San José to receive chemotherapy and/or radiation treatments, or attend followup specialist appointments. Overnight lodging is available to those having no close relatives or friends in the capital, along with a female companion.

Located on FUNDESO’s San José premises, the Elena Sikora facility is open seven days a week. Amenities include showers and common rooms, along with three meals and two snacks served daily. Although there is no cost to stay at the shelter, donations are gratefully accepted.

SPOTLIGHT

A project for making natural hair wigs available to breast cancer survivors was organized by Walmart and Horizontes Foundation.

Photos courtesy of Florencia Gelman

The ‘Cherry

on theCake’

Tattooing & Breast

Reconstruction

by Howler Staff

One of the most important

parts of the rehabilitation of breast cancer patients is the reconstruction of the removed breast, which includes recreating the nipple, whether by surgery or by tattoos.

The program Fundación Tinta Esperanza, or Ink Hope Foundation, developed by the Colombian tatoo artist Fabián Henao, is dedicated to creating realistic tattoos of the nipple and aureola in 50 breast cancer survivors, all in one week (10 a day), all for free.

These tattoos are so realistic that they appear to be in three dimensions, though they are only drawings on the skin. This procedure is a way to avoid more surgery, and it’s only one session of one hour, in place of the three or more tattoo sessions.

In the first campaign in San José, May 29-June 3, 2017, 53 women benefited from this service, and in the second, Feb. 26-March

6 | #searchfindhowl| online howlermag.com

Tattoo artist Fabián Henao dedicates his services through the Ink Hope Foundation as a post-mastectomy alternative to surgical breast reconstruction. Photo: Florencia Gelman

2, 2018, 52 women were served. These were women who had waited months, if not years, to close an unhappy chapter in their lives and “put the cherry on the cake,” as some have called this procedure.

Thesetattoo campaigns are made possible by donations from Payless ShoeSource of Costa Rica, an official sponsor of the initiative.

The days spent doing these tattoos are full of emotion for the

These tattoos are so realistic that they appear to be in 3D.

patients, their families and volunteers from FUNDESO. Organizers say it’s an impressive experience to share the happiness of women who, after so much time, are able to see their breasts made whole after

this terrible illness. In the words of one of the beneficiaries, who called to express her thanks, the tattoo was “as pretty as what God gave me.” Comments like this have moved organizers to repeat the campaign.

Before finishing the last

round, organizers began preparing a list of survivors interested in participating in a new campaign planned for this November, to coincide with the 35th anniversary of

FUNDESO.

Thanks to the incomparable artwork and generosity of Fabián Heano, more than 100 Costa Rican women have now been successfully “crowned” after a long process of pain and suffering.

SHARE • VOLUNTEER • DONATE (506) 2233-1692 presidencia@fundeso.or.cr www.fundeso.or.cr

#searchfindhowl HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 7