May 29, 2014 is a hallmark day for CureCervicalCancer. After a yearlong’s preparation, including enormous support from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, we are pleased to announce the establishment of three sustainable clinics. On this record breaking trip, the CCC team has trained over 45 local healthcare professionals to a level of excellency in the “See and Treat” procedure. While a majority of this success is attributed to the outstanding efforts of our volunteer team and UCLA GYN faculty…It is the incredible passion and determination of the local healthcare professionals that made our results as impressive as they are. Each and every worker we came in contact with, from Dr. Dzung (Regional Director of the Ministry of Health) down to every last nurse, was clearly eager to master everything we came to teach. They actively took pages and pages of notes during the lecture, took pictures of all the equipment we trained them on, asked the right questions, and worked tirelessly to perfect the skills of diagnosing pre-cancerous lesions with the VIA test and treating the suspicious lesions with cryotherapy. Additionally, they couldn’t have been more gracious, hospitable, and willing to work together as partners with us. More importantly, we are able to confidently return home from Vietnam knowing we have built a strong relationship with Dr. Zhang, who has repeatedly assured us that a top priority of hers is to keep these three clinics permanent and sustainable as she realizes the crucial life-saving impact it will have on her fellow women of Vietnam. As an organization, we couldn’t be more happy with this wonderful group of Vietnamese people. This is clearly one of the most successful missions CCC has ever had, and we know that through continued hard work and perseverance we will continue to build upon our successes in all our future endeavors.
Our grand result? Nearly 1000 women screened for cervical cancer, with over 150 being treated with cryotherapy. This extraordinary feat was established in just one week’s time, and does not even begin to include the multitude of Vietnamese women who will be screened and treated in the future as a result of these three lasting clinics operated by our 45 newly trained masters of the “See and Treat” technique.
The Angel Clinic in the Major Reproductive Center, Quang Ninh:
While there’s no doubt our achievements this week were impressive, none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for the extreme generosity and trust our donors ensure in us. CCC extends a huge thank you to The Morris Hazan Foundation for its unwavering faith and confidence in our cause. It is this foundation that made our Vietnam mission possible. We couldn’t be more proud to honor you with the highly successful Major Reproductive Clinic of Quang Ninh, “The Angel Clinic.” This will serve to save countless lives of women in the hustle bustle region of downtown Quang Ninh, Vietnam.
The Community Health Centers on Hoanh Bo and Cam Pha:
The entire CCC team also extends its sincere gratitude to the Leonard Hill Charitable Trust and to Ms. Lenore Grossman Pridham for their continuing generous contributions. Your support has allowed us to establish two community clinics that are thriving and are so necessary in these remote farming and fishing village rural areas.
Authored by: Stephen Morris