Over 200 moms in Dumaguete get free pap smear, breast exams from GMA Kapuso Foundation

Ahead of this year’s Mother’s Day, more than 200 mothers in Dumaguete City got free pap smears and breast examinations thanks to GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to “24 Oras,” Friday, among the women who availed of the free health services was Jacquelyn Castillo.

Jacquelyn makes a living as a massage therapist along Rizal Boulevard, where she earns P300 to P400 a day.

“Wala akong wish para sa sarili ko, para lang sa mga anak ko na makatapos lang sila ng pag-aaral. Masaya na ako dun,” she said in tears.

[I don’t have any wish for myself, just for my children to finish their education. That’s enough to make me happy]

Another mother, Daisy Villamil, sells street food tempura to support her nine children.

“Nagsimula ako nagtitinda ng tempura noong 1995 tapos hanggang ngayon. Simula alas singko hanggang alas singko ng umaga. Bale isang buong gabi, wala akong tulog,” Daisy said.

[I’ve been selling tempura since 1995 until today. [I work] from five [in the afternoon] until five in the morning. So, for the whole night, I have no sleep]

GMA Kapuso Foundation partnered with Diagnostic Care and Laboratory Services to offer the free medical examinations to the mothers.

“With the increasing cases of cervical cancer, it is very important to have the pap smear done. With the lifestyles that we have, increasing talaga ‘yung mga cases ng breast cancer, that's why it is important to have self breast exam,” said Dr. Anna Lissa J. Bernadas, an OB-GYN.

Jacquelyn and Daisy were also surprised with flowers and cakes.

“It's a great help talaga by the GMA Kapuso Foundation, especially busy sila sa kanilang trabaho (with their work), so they have no time to be examined, so this is a great help talaga,” said Dr. Diane Montecino, a medical officer at the Dumaguete City Health Office.

For those who want to take part in GMA Kapuso Foundation’s initiatives, you may send your donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada. For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation’s website.— Carby Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News