Dr. Carmencita Sarrosa is the very picture of elegance and serenity. At 79 years old, her youthful face and gentle but firm voice are certainly serving her well as one of the most respected pediatricians in the country, as well as being the hard-working current Chairperson of Bacolod Kadughan Foundation for Breast Care Inc. (Bacolod, Kadughan) in Negros Occidental.
However, the dynamic Chairperson has her breast cancer journey to share.
When diagnosed with the condition, the doctor received the news with customary strength, saying “If it’s the Will of the Lord…”
In the face of her ailment, her late husband broke down and her only daughter was devastated.
At the time of her diagnosis, there were no oncologists in Bacolod, entailing trips to Manila for chemo, and she eventually joined her best friend, an Ob-Gynecologist, in the U.S. There she underwent further treatment, even driving herself to her appointments, displaying her usual can do and composed attitude.
The warm and joyful company provided by her friends abroad, most of whom were her classmates in med school in the Philippines, was a big help in regaining her strength and stamina. This gave rise to her dream of providing a sense of support and sisterhood to other breast cancer patients, knowing that the shared enjoyment of positive moments with friends was key to finding healing and comfort.
When the Bacolod Kadughan Foundation for Breast Care, Inc. (Bacolod Kadughan) was established in 0ctober of 2004, she finally realized this dream. In much the same way that Dr. Sarrosa found comfort and healing in the company of her lifelong friends, the Bacolod Kadughan Support group which started from indigent patients of the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial hospital and which now has more than fifty women from all walks of life, regularly meets for prayer, Zumba and Karaoke sessions.
Under her leadership, Kadughan (which means “the same chest” but may also mean “the same sentiment”) is bringing to the fore Dr. Sarrosa’s knowledge and first-hand experience in treating and living with breast cancer.
And she, along with all the women in this support group, share the same sentiment that sisterhood and one’s innate sense of purpose and hope will give life and strength to women living with this condition.
In Dr. Sarrosa’s own words, “Breast cancer is not a death sentence. The future is more rosy compared to what it was previously.”
The person who gave her testimonial and/or shared her image and/or likeness in these videos did so freely and voluntarily. All rights reserved 2022