Farewell: Final Cancer de Mama Clinic 2025
Tara A. Spears
This is the place where the story stops. It is with a heavy heart that the Executive Committee made the decision to not continue offering clinics. While the public understands the reasons for change- aging volunteers, difficulty transporting prosthesis internationally- it still be difficult to accept that such a vital cause will cease.
The need of the Mexican breast cancer survivors continues and that hurts the dedicated volunteers that worked throughout the year to gather items and prepare for the annual three-day clinic.
Each clinic is a powerful experience for both the volunteer and the patients, with tears and hugs, yet a spirit of hope prevailing. I met so many wonderful ladies, and learned so much that volunteering at the clinic was something that I looked forward to all year.
Each woman takes away more than a boob; we empowered each other to carry the load. “she’s not heavy she’s my sister.” After the final event, the Executive Committee will share the impressive statistics of how many women benefited during the 29 years of operation.
The breast prostheses project originated in 1996 by Jackie Jackson, from Enderby, B.C. and the cause was adopted by the La Penita RV Park residents in 2008. Women at the RV park and throughout Jaltemba Bay are committed to providing this much needed service. In addition to donations from Canadian and American medical companies, particularly the wonderful ladies from Nightingale Medical Supplies in Vernon, B.C. who are certified post-mastectomy fitters, travel here to help. Sadly, it has become increasingly complex to move the donated prothesis and mastectomy bras internationally.
The dozens of compassionate volunteers in cheerful pink share smiles and hugs with the hundreds of women from throughout Nayarit. Many of the women traveled for hours by bus to receive assistance at the annual breast cancer clinic. Each woman attending receives a reusable shopping bag in which to put her new prosthetic bra, each woman is given a gel prosthesis and knit ‘tit bit’, a head covering, a snack, and a chance to visit the salon for a facial and or wig. There used to be a ‘store’ she can purchase additional bras and other donated clothing items-until Covid safe practices began.
During the years that the clinic was held at the RV Park, the facilities were transformed into a clinic with eight private exam cubicles that are attractively decorated to ease the women’s anxiety. One of the clinic goals is to help the women participants feel respected, comfortable, and feminine. The Cancer de Mama Clinic developed a high level of trust and acceptance that transcends the language barrier.
“It’s a two-way street now,” observed a volunteer. “Before, they (the women clients) were shy and uncertain. Now they kid around and reach out to us just like real sisters do!” What is a truly horrible physical illness has united women of all shapes, ages, color and background- with all of us better people for the experience. We are a sisterhood!
In 2017, the clinic added treatment for the women affected by secondary lymphedema. Approximately 40% of the Mexican ladies seen last year were suffering from lymphedema, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Coordinated by Carole Maze, she and a team of trained volunteers fit the ladies with appropriate compression and wraps
This grassroots effort is solely funded by donations and without any paid staff. The astonishing transformation of the senior center into an attractive, organized clinic for three days requires the cooperation and year-round efforts of many people. Even more amazing is that the majority of the clinic volunteers do not live in Mexico, but visit seasonally.
The medical prostheses are hauled from Canada and the US by RVs, as are the majority of other supplies used at the clinic. Many local merchants donate food items that become the meal for the clients and volunteers. Other concerned people volunteer time to sort, organize, and prepare for the clinic. The Cancer de Mama department chairs have great organizational talent besides their tremendous heart. Thank you all for what you do!
For many women in Nayarit, just surviving the breast removal surgery is not enough, there is still a huge uphill battle for regaining self-esteem and feeling like a woman again. Statistics from the Mexican National Institute of Salud Publica indicate that breast cancer mortality in Nayarit has exceeded the national average for more than 10 years.
There is a lack of after surgery care proved by the government for the lower socioeconomic individuals without health insurance, which is approximately 60% of the Nayarit population. The Cancer de Mama Clinic addresses this real need by providing free medical prosthesis, tidbits, and special bras to women breast cancer.
There is no one type of patient. Many of the women need emotional support and validation that she is still feminine after a mastectomy; other patients are further along the journey and can be emotional support for others” Clearly the women travel to the clinic for so much more than just a boob!
For many of the Mexican ladies it is a chance for a wellness day where she receives both physical and emotional support. Typically, the survivors range in age from their early 20s to 70s- although one year I volunteered the youngest was 15, another year the oldest mid 80s. The ladies come for supplies, comfort, and companionship as they struggle though their emotional journey to be brave, strong women that are breast cancer survivors.
One comment that has stayed with me is from a patient in 2008 (the first year that I volunteered): “I came as a stranger but I leave as a friend.” It sums up the interaction of both volunteer and patients. The Cancer de Mama Clinic isn’t simply about things, it is an opportunity for cancer survivors to feel good about themselves because they look good.
To all of the hundreds of caring volunteers that make, donate, organize so many bras, beanie bags tidbits, scarves, hats, wigs, hand sewn reusable bags, with little toiletry gifts to treat the ladies of Nayarit, you are giving positive energy to each woman. Your support of CdM by volunteering has touched hundreds of lives of Mexican breast cancer survivors each year.
It’s no surprise that so many Mexican women look past the pain of cancer to look forward to a day of wellness and emotional support. There are so many wonderful, positive memories from each clinic.
Thank you to the members of the Committee for your dedication, thank you to all the volunteers, thank you to all the women survivors. I will miss all of you!
