Help Haitian and Rwandan Women Fight Breast Cancer

Breast cancer remains the number one form of cancer women are diagnosed with around the world, but a lack of early detection and comprehensive treatment options is putting the women of Rwanda at even higher risk of dying from this terrible disease. Breast cancer cases in women living in this impoverished country have increased by more than 50% in the last three years alone.

Nearly half of Rwandan breast cancer patients are diagnosed in the late stages of the disease, when it is much more difficult to treat. There is an urgent need to raise awareness about the benefits of early testing and treatment among the women of Rwanda, as well as provide local health care practitioners with the resources they need to get women in for these screenings and arrange subsequent treatment plans.

Women in the U.S. are widely discussing the importance of early detection. Consequently, more U.S. women are surviving their breast cancer diagnoses. Our Rwandan sisters deserve to reap the benefits of that same dialog.

Partners in Health is leading the charge to provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services in Rwanda, empowering health care workers to reach women in outlying rural areas and reduce breast cancer deaths. In addition to addressing the immediate needs of their most vulnerable patients, PIH is working towards launching a nation-wide educational campaign for patients and providers to promote early detection and treatment.

You can help. Your donation directly supports the PIH program that provides training materials for community health workers, nurses, and physicians, and helps fund educational and support groups for breast cancer patients, as well as the purchase of mastectomy bras for survivors. Your generosity also helps defray the costs of transporting patients, provides funding for home visits, and allows PIH to hire more social workers.

About Partners In Health

Partners In Health (PIH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service, training, advocacy, and research, and by establishing long-term relationships with sister organizations, PIH strives to achieve two overarching goals: to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of them and to serve as an antidote to despair.

"At its root, our mission is both medical and moral. It is based on solidarity, rather than charity alone.... Whatever it takes. Just as we would do if a member of our own family or we ourselves were ill."