Breast cancer leaves a mother fighting for her daughters

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally, but depending on where you happen to be born, your chances of survival may be dramatically different.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month—a time of year when we’re reminded of the importance of early detection, education and support. But for millions of women around the world, a call for “awareness” rings hollow. Access to healthcare, education, and support resources remains completely out of reach for countless individuals.

For Emily, a mother of two young girls, breast cancer didn’t just threaten her health, it reshaped every aspect of her life. She was only 29 years old when her world collapsed beneath her.

Emily lives in Venezuela, where a prolonged socio-economic crisis has severely weakened the country’s healthcare system. Hospitals face critical shortages of medicines, equipment and trained personnel—many even lack basic infrastructure like water and sanitation. In the face of these challenges, it’s not surprising that Emily’s breast cancer went undetected for a long time.

By the time she was diagnosed, it had metastasized to Emily’s lungs, brain, stomach and eyes, drastically compromising her ability to care for her daughters and herself.

“I stopped seeing for three months,” Emily shares. “I managed to recover, but now that I can’t afford certain treatments, things have gotten worse again.”

Simple, treasured rituals like walking her girls to school were suddenly impossible. “Thank God I have good neighbours,” she says. “They do me the favour of taking them to school.” At 10, her eldest daughter, Tiffany, stepped into a caregiving role, helping her younger sister, Estefany, with schoolwork and supporting her mother in ways no child should have to.

Despite being told by doctors that she wouldn’t survive, Emily continues to fight. “They told me I wouldn’t live, and here I am,” she says, “still fighting for my daughters.”

Having worked as a waitress all her life, Emily was forced to quit as her health declined. She tried to make ends meet through fundraising efforts and selling homemade desserts, but her worsening condition has made even that impossible.

From diagnosis to determination

Practical assistance from World Vision Venezuela has eased some of the pressure. Through the Esperanza sin Fronteras Project, Tiffany and Estefany received school supplies, allowing them to continue their education despite the family’s financial hardship. “It’s a great blessing because I don’t work,” Emily says. “They provide me with the resources so the girls can go to school.”

Emily’s voice fills with emotion, cracking as she speaks of the future she envisions for her daughters. “My dream is to see them grown up as educated women.” Estefany dreams of becoming a lawyer and has taken an interest in music, while Tiffany hopes to become a doctor, so she can help heal others like her mother.

Emily’s story is just one among millions. Women everywhere are facing similar battles; some with support, but many without. This month, let’s remember that awareness must lead to action. Whether it’s advocating for healthcare equity or supporting families like Emily’s, there are ways we can all make a difference.

Ways to help spread awareness

We invite you to look beyond borders and consider the global possibilities of your support.

• Advocate. Use your voice to raise awareness about global health equity. Start conversations and help others understand the challenges women face in accessing care.
• Volunteer. Join local events or campaigns that support our mission. Your time and energy can help amplify our impact.
• Educate. Host a small gathering through your faith community or friend circles to share what you’ve learned about women’s health and global disparities.
• Partner with us. Encourage your workplace, school or faith community to partner with World Vision in supporting global health initiatives like Women and Girls Healthcare to help vulnerable women and girls access health care and nutrition, while empowering their decision-making.

Together, we can build a world where every woman, no matter where she lives, can live a healthy, dignified life.