HARI Foundation, Inc. (HFI), the CSR arm of Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), has rolled out its first-ever mobile flagship wellness campaign offering FREE breast cancer screening to women in the country’s undeserved communities.

Through partnership with UP-PGH, the Alagang Breastfriend Mobile Diagnostic Clinic, the very first of its kind in the country, is a customized Hyundai H-350 luxury van equipped with state-of-the-art mammography and breast ultrasound facilities. It is deployed with the UP-PGH medical missions to impart to undeserved communities relevant information about breast cancer and offer free screening for early signs of breast cancer.

The Ternate and Novaliches medical missions served close to 200 women patients, 10 of which were referred for biopsy. It was the first time for most of these women to receive a comprehensive module on the benefits of early screening and treatment of breast cancer.

Flor runs a small business in Ternate. She discovered her breast cancer as a young single

woman and underwent due surgery. Little did she think that it would recur many years after being married and children. “Noong December 2018, kumirot. Napakalaki ng bukol, parang mansanas. Nasa Stage 3 na ako, for 6-cycle chemotherapy. Akala ko mamamatay na ako, pero nabigyan ako ng pagasa. Napakalaki ang tulong (ng Alagang Breastfriend) sa mga taga-Ternate.”

Vicky, a housewife in Novaliches, was elated that she could avail of free breast cancer

screening. “May idad na ako, kailangan ko ng mammogram kasi merong history ng cancer sa pamilya. Maraming matutulungan ang Alagang Breastfriend sa katulad naming kapos.”

For her part, Grace, Vicky’s daughter, a school teacher, highly appreciated the lay forum on breast cancer. “Lahat ng natutunan ko, maari kong ma-share sa mga estudyante ko para mapalaganap ang kaalaman tungkol sa kanser. Kung hindi ka aabot sa advanced stage, hindi ka na matatakot kung kaya mo, o kung kaya ng bulsa mo.”

Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo, President of HARI Foundations, Inc, said,“I am heartened and inspired to learn about the ever growing reach of our Alagang Breastfriend campaign. Our partnership with UP-PGH is an important step toward fulfilling our shared goal to provide the greater part of society access to important resources and technology that will help improve women’s overall well-being, and enable them to lead healthier, more productive lives.”