Every October during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, women are reminded of the importance of breast care awareness, education and research. But with critical statistic – such as 1 in every 13 Filipinas will develop breast cancer in her lifetime – we need more than a once-a-year reminder.

That's why last year, Human Nature in partnership with the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc. (Kasuso Foundation) took a step towards better breast cancer detection with a first for all Filipinas - MammoMe Natural Body Wash.

The first of its kind, it's a body wash that helps us detect possible early signs of breast cancer by reminding us to conduct breast self-exams in the shower. Moreover, a portion of all MammoMe proceeds goes to Kasuso Foundation to help indigent women with breast cancer get proper treatment and care.

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Kasuso Foundation volunteers pose in front of the MammoMe photobooth, sharing the reminder to do breast self-exam in the shower. (Photos courtesy of Kasuso Foundation)

Everyday Heroes for the Filipina

Located in one of the outer buildings of a public hospital, Kasuso Foundation's office inside the clinic's quaint space is taken up by a waiting room that never seems to empty of patients no matter what time of the day. There's a big whiteboard right behind the nurse's station, scribbled on it long lists of names - new patients, people up for chemotherapy, those to follow up with. It just goes on and on.

And keeping this whole operation going are three members from Kasuso Foundation and four hospital nurses. That's seven people, working  three clinic days a week from morning 'til midnight to accommodate an average of 120 patients a week. 

Like any non-profit organization, the work can be grueling especially when faced with the problems of lack of volunteers and funding.  "It takes manpower to do the things we do," explains Kasuso Foundation Chairman Maria Lourdes Cortez. “Our goal is for each patient to move from one step to the next, for them to be able to complete their treatment and also get the psycho-emotional support they need to be well.”

Aside from giving breast care trainings, Kasuso Foundation also helps barangay health workers and committed individuals navigate cases. Navigating means guiding patients to facilities and organizations that can help them get free health care and medicine. Cortez explains, "When you are sick with limited resources, all the forms to file and the medical tests to take can be overwhelming – some people just give up and discontinue treatment."

L-R: Kasuso Foundation staff conducting breast care training | A big white board behind the nurse's station, scribbled on it long lists of names - new patients for the week, people up for chemotherapy, and so on. (Left photo courtesy of Kasuso Foundation)

The Perfect Pair in Sharing the Goodness

"We can do our services or we can do fundraising efforts, but we can't do both," shares Cortez. "That's why we're thankful for partnerships like with Human Nature because we won't have to worry where to get the funding. We can just focus on serving the patients."

Indeed, as of August 2015, Human Nature has donated a total of Php115,750 to Kasuso Foundation. This has helped subsidize daily services like mammograms, biopsies, mastectomies, chemotherapy, medicines and supplies as well as funding for barangay awareness programs. 

Looking back since this partnership has started, we're happy to have shared goodness in a new and empowering way. We've helped more people arm themselves with the proper breast care knowledge, and helped a lot more Filipinas get the medical assistance and emotional guidance they need. And a big part of that is because of you, our dearest goodness ambassadors! Whether it be through buying a bottle of MammoMe or sharing the good news to family and friends, a big thank you for helping us fight breast cancer.

Cheers to another year filled with even better breast cancer awareness and goodness shared!

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Did you know that there's a 100% survival rate among those diagnosed in Stage 1 breast cancer? That's why early detection is key! The cost and stress of treatment - from mammograms to chemotherapy sessions - can be avoided altogether when you do monthly breast self-examination and stick to products that are 100% free from harmful chemicals like MammoMe Natural Body Wash. Learn more about MammoMe here.

 

For more information on  the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care Inc. (Kasuso Foundation), you can visit their official site and Facebook page.