Team Brings Breast Cancer Screening To Dominican Republic

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Southampton team is raising funds to provide life-saving breast cancer detection services — and meet an urgent global need.

A GoFundMe page, "IBCSM 2020," was created by Michael Valdes and Edna Kapenhas and has raised $2,796 of its $10,000 goal so far.

"Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and the second most common cancer overall. It is a leading cause of cancer death in less-developed countries due to lack of access to early screening and treatment," the page said. "Breast cancer is also the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in 140 of 184 countries worldwide. Globally, it now represents one in four of all cancers in women. Since 2008, worldwide breast cancer incidence has increased by more than 20%. Mortality has increased by 14%. Early detection is key in saving lives."

In response to the urgent global need, Caribe Breast Cancer Care was formed, the page added; the International Breast Cancer Surgical Mission of Southampton, led by Dr. Edna Kapenhas, in affiliation with Island Impact Ministries, has been providing breast cancer screening, diagnosis, and surgical treatment for people in Dominican Republic since 2012.

"Once again, our team will be volunteering in the Dominican Republic to help those in need this upcoming February," the page said. "We ask you to please help us continue providing these essential services by donating to our cause. Thank you for all of your love and support."

Donations will help to fund surgeries, anesthesia, overnight hospital stays, biopsies, pathology costs, medications, supplies, chemotherapy, bras, wigs, etc. to the individuals the group provides care for.

Island Impact Miniseries is a U.S> registered, 501 (c) nonprofit organization established in 2003 and dedicated to providing much-needed medical, educational, spiritual, and construction assistance to the people of the Dominican republic and Haiti, the page added.