Profiles/Success Stories

Recognizing the Latina Breast Cancer Project

The Latina Breast Cancer Project delivers culturally competent breast health services to the Spanish-speaking population of Central Ohio through educational outreach programs at local churches and community centers. The project recently decided to offer a breast health Helpline operated by program coordinator Adriana de la Peña to assist women with basic questions and referrals to low-cost local services due to issues with the language barrier and a high rate of uninsured women. Since it began in 2006, the project has served more than 2,700 local women through their outreach programs, answered more than 1,325 phone calls and linked at least 350 women to low-cost mammograms. (OhioHealth Research and Innovation Institute)

The Latina Breast Cancer Project was recently recognized by Business First at its 2009 Health Care Heroes Awards; Melissa Thomas and Adriana de la Pena accepted their Honorable Mention in the Underserved category with the support of many of their