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Eva Vasquez, a resident of Washington Heights for more than 20 years, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago, despite a life long regimen of healthy living. She walked together with other community residents in the “Latino Walk against Cancer” this past Sunday, and is proud to be a “SURVIVOR”.
“Si se puede [It is possible]. I am now better than ever.”
That’s what Eva Vasquez, dressed in a bright pink shirt with the word “Survivor” stamped across it said to me. Eva also shouted the word aloud, at the top of her lungs, to all who would listen in El Alto, and they did.
I met Eva, Francisco, Angela and Mercedes, faces among the Latino Walk against Cancer held on Sun., Sept. 25th. Their stories, all different, merged as one as they walked through Washington Heights and Inwood, united, in a show of solidarity against a disease that continues to strike Latino households at alarming rates.
But there is stenght in numbers, and comfort in unity, and so the women (and men) of El Alto turned out in force, reminding the community that “Ellos cuentan [We all matter],” and that there is hope.
El Alto was the setting for the Latino Walk against Cancer, the first of its kind to be held locally, where approximately five hundred residents, neighbors, and supporters walked through the neighborhood dressed in different shades of pink. The walk was organized by F.A.C.E.S, a group that works to offer support to women suffering from breast and other types of cancer, particularly to Latinas who might not have access to treatment and care due to financial hardship or language barriers.
F.A.C.E.S was formed by Fary de Leon, whose cancer diagnosis put her on a path towards founding her organization. Today, she continues to battle the disease and provide help and counseling to those who need it most, specifically targeting Latinas who are often diagnosed late in the stages of cancer due to a lack of proper testing and preventative practices.
Eva Vasquez, a resident of Washington Heights for more than 20 years, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two years ago, despite a life long regimen of healthy eating, exercise and natural medicine.
“We were all in shock when I was diagnosed,” she said, holding onto my arm as we made our way down Fairview Avenue. She held on not at all due to weakness, but rather as a show of companionship. As we walked together, she revealed a beautiful smile that showed no sign of fading any time soon.
“Cancer doesn’t know race, it doesn’t know social status. I was healthy and it struck. We need to prevent more and let people know that there are resources to help them,” she told me, adding that just last year she needed use a walker to move around because the chemotherapy treatments were so aggressive. “Today I can be part of this walk against cancer and let our women know that cancer is not a death sentence, and that they can be healthy and strong again.”
As the walk made its way through Dyckman Street and entered the Anne Loftus playground in Ft. Tryon Park, there were strong emotions that overtook the crowd as it reached the Walk’s end.
Francisco Rosario, a local resident, attended the walk in his mother’s name.
“My mother died of brain cancer two years ago. This is a great effort, and we are here to support it. It’s time for the Latino community to get together and support this cause, so [we] can receive the resources its needs to get healthier and prevent disease,” said Rosario.
An emotional Fary de Leon, founder and organizer of the Walk, took to the microphone. Unable to get her words out, but determined to address her family and supporters, she called her work the work of “everyone in this community” saying, “Today we’ve made history.”
“Caminante, no hay camino. Se hace simplemente el camino al andar [Journeyman, there is no path; you make your path as you walk],” the common saying in Spanish, resonated with me as I left the walk.
I saw Eva with her shining smile and her conviction of survival, her work and determination to stay alive. I saw the hurt in families that had lost a loved one to the disease, but walked in their name, and I saw Fary and her family, emotional and weary but strong on her feet, casting a light of hope and determination for the Latinas in El Alto to keep walking to make their path.
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