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Testimonies

A Ray of Hope for Adriana Sofía in Her Battle Against Aplastic Anemia

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Since CAMO first learned about Adriana Sofía Hernández, an eight-year-old girl from the village of El Salitrillo in Santa Rosa de Copán, we have been dedicated to supporting her through our Nutrition and Dental programs, seeking to improve her overall well-being.

Adriana, a lively and joyful girl, was diagnosed a few months ago with aplastic anemia, an illness that has transformed her life and that of her family. 

Aplastic anemia prevents her bone marrow from producing the necessary blood cells, severely impacting her health. Adriana now requires a bone marrow transplant and costly medications.

“Our lives changed in the blink of an eye. Sofía went from going to school to being hospitalized for 24 days in critical condition,” recalled Rossibel Manueles, Adriana’s mother, through tears.

During these challenging times, CAMO has been providing care and support, offering nutritional assistance, which is vital for Adriana’s health. A balanced diet is crucial to help improve her health and enhance her response to the medical treatments she receives.

Adriana’s mother mentioned that, although the situation remains difficult, her daughter has found warmth and hope through CAMO.

“Since August, Adriana has been coming to CAMO’s Nutrition program, and her health is stable. I feel more hopeful and very supported. A few months ago, she couldn’t do many physical activities because she’d get tired, but now she’s doing better,” she shared.

Despite the challenges, Adriana’s family has not lost faith. “We are knocking on doors, hoping God will touch hearts and send us angels to save our daughter,” Rossibel expressed, holding onto the hope of obtaining the transplant her daughter so desperately needs.

Testimonies

Genesis Takes Her First Step Toward Her Dreamed Life

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A year ago, Genesis Hernandez’s life changed dramatically. One November afternoon, while riding her motorcycle through the streets of Copán Ruinas, she was involved in an accident with another motorcycle. The other driver lost his life, but Genesis survived, although the consequences were severe: she lost her left leg.

Before the accident, 19-year-old Genesis was a small business owner in her community. She had successfully established a small fruit and vegetable business, and after the accident, she turned her talents to crafting handmade items for tourists visiting Copán Ruinas.

“God wanted me to live,” Genesis recalled. Although she faced moments of sadness and frustration, her fighting spirit allowed her to hold on to the hope of rebuilding her life.

Her first step toward a new life was made possible through a collaboration between CAMO and the FAKS Foundation.

With funding from FAKS, Genesis was able to receive a prosthesis at CAMO’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory.

With tears in her eyes and a grateful smile, Genesis said, “I have taken my first step.”

The prosthesis not only restored her mobility but also gave her the confidence to keep pursuing her dreams.

Using savings she had accumulated, she is now preparing to restart her fruit business with the vision of rebuilding her life and rising stronger than ever. “I want to get back the life I had before the accident,” she said with determination.

Testimonies

Hudson and Orlin Receive the Best Birthday Gift: Life-Changing Prosthetics

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Hudson and Orlin received the best birthday gift: prosthetics to walk toward a future full of opportunities.

Hudson Pita and Orlin Reyes both received prosthetics funded by the FAKS Foundation at CAMO’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Laboratory.

Hudson, who will turn 12 on October 21st, was born with congenital multiple arthrogryposis, a condition that limited him for many years. To improve his mobility, both his legs were amputated. Currently, Hudson is in the fifth grade at República de Honduras School in Siguatepeque, where he is known for his love of music and art.

“I’ve always wanted to play music,” Hudson said shyly. In addition to music, he is passionate about drawing and playing, activities he will now be able to enjoy more freely thanks to his new transfemoral prosthetics on both legs. For him, this gift is not only a step towards better mobility but also a significant leap toward his dream of becoming a musician and artist, and one day, playing soccer as well.

Meanwhile, Orlin Reyes, who turned 13 on October 16th, has faced a difficult battle with cancer. In 2023, he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that led to the amputation of his left leg on October 24th of the same year.

Despite the challenges, Orlin, a sixth-grade student at República de Honduras School in Masaguara, Intibucá, is determined to learn how to walk again with his transfemoral prosthesis, which will help him regain his mobility and gradually return to his daily activities.

“For now, my only plan is to walk again,” he said with hope and a smile.

Guillermo Hernández, Orlin’s father and a farmer, has faced the challenges of treatment with courage, relying on farming to cover medical expenses. For him, his son’s prosthesis is not only a physical aid but also an opportunity for Orlin to regain his childhood and move forward with his life.

The delivery of these prosthetics would not have been possible without the support of the FAKS Foundation and CAMO, who work together to restore hope to children who have lost their limbs. This collaboration shows that with the right help, it is possible to transform lives and renew dreams.

Testimonies

From Bedridden to Back on the Fields: Santos’ Journey of Recovery

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For two years, Santos Velásquez lived with the anguish of being unable to support his wife and three children. A cervical hernia left him immobile, forcing him to spend months bedridden.

Although he had been suffering for a while, his condition worsened at the beginning of this year.

“I started feeling pain in my left leg, lost the strength to get up, and the pain spread to my back. It felt like a constant burning sensation. When I walked, my leg would go numb, and my back felt like it was on fire. I couldn’t get up again,” Santos recalled.

Santos, a farmer from Yoro in northern Honduras, sought medical attention at a public hospital in San Pedro Sula, where he was diagnosed with three herniated discs in his spine.

“They told me I couldn’t do any physical labor, and as a farmer, I wondered how I would provide for my family,” he said.

His family transported him for more than six hours from Yoro to CAMO’s headquarters in Santa Rosa de Copán to receive assistance.Neurosurgeon Roberto Álvarez, leader of CAMO’s Neurosurgery Program in collaboration with the Honduran Ministry of Health and the Hospital de Occidente, explained that Santos underwent surgery as part of the spinal surgery brigade due to the severity of his condition.“We became aware of Santos’ case thanks to CAMO’s Spinal Surgery Brigade announcements.

Despite the pain and the long journey from Yoro, he made a tremendous effort to get here.

His hernia was critical, and he couldn’t wait for the international brigade, so we managed his emergency admission and operated on him outside the brigade’s schedule, even though he is part of it,” Álvarez explained.

Since the announcement of the international brigade, at least 30 people have come to CAMO for evaluations, hoping to be operated on by the American doctors and their Honduran colleagues, who will arrive on October 19. Patient selection will begin on October 20.

Dr. Álvarez added that they are receiving patients from all over the country, many of whom have not been able to access surgery at other hospitals and live with constant pain.

“I’m overjoyed because I arrived unable to walk, and now I’m going home walking. I hope that once I recover, I will be able to go back to working in the corn and bean fields and provide food for my family,” Santos said enthusiastically.

Santos is deeply grateful to CAMO, the doctors, and the staff at the Hospital de Occidente. “Here, they treated me with dignity. The doctors and nurses saw me as an equal, and at CAMO, I made friends despite the short time I spent in Santa Rosa de Copán,” he concluded.

Testimonies

With the recovery of his vision, Marlon Vásquez resumes his dream of working

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Your support changes lives. Marlon Vásquez, a young construction worker, saw his work performance deteriorate as he lost his vision due to an eye condition called keratoconus, which severely damaged his eyes.

For 12 years, Marlon walked in fear. He couldn’t leave his house without assistance, as his blurry vision severely limited both his personal life and his ability to work.

Thanks to CAMO’s Eye Program and the Robles Ophthalmology Center, Marlon underwent two eye surgeries. In the most recent operation, he received a corneal transplant in his left eye. This surgery was made possible by a medical team from the University of San Francisco and the Robles Ophthalmology Center, who donated seven corneas and performed transplants for Marlon and six other CAMO patients.

A week after the surgery, Marlon, visibly emotional and more independent, expressed, “Now I am capable of achieving whatever I set my mind to.”

At 27 years old, living in Corquín, Copán, Marlon dreams of advancing in the construction industry now that he is regaining his vision.

This is the true impact of your support to CAMO: providing hope, independence, and new opportunities for people like Marlon.

News Media Releases

CAMO Celebrates 19 Years Serving Women through the Mammography Program

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CAMO marks 19 years of providing healthcare through its Mammography Program, which has enabled the early detection of breast cancer in thousands of women in Copán and other regions of Honduras. 

Thanks to an agreement with the Honduran Ministry of Health, which provides the physical spaces, CAMO offers mammography services in Santa Rosa de Copán at the Public Health Center and in the municipality of Corquín at the Maternal and Child Clinic. 

CAMO’s two mammography machines are the only ones available in the public system for one million residents in western Honduras.

The mammography program offers the following services:

  • Bilateral Mammography for women over 35 years old.
  • Bilateral Mammography for women under 35 with a medical referral.
  • Bilateral Mammography for men with a doctor’s order.

In 2023, CAMO performed 1,504 mammograms, a 34% increase compared to the 1,119 mammograms conducted in 2019.

In addition, CAMO continuously runs awareness campaigns to promote a culture of prevention and women’s health care. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women, and early detection is key to improving survival rates.

Risk factors for breast cancer include age, family history, certain lifestyle habits, and hormone exposure. However, not all women with risk factors develop the disease, making prevention through regular screenings and a healthy lifestyle essential.

It is estimated that nearly 106,391 women die from this disease, according to statistical data from the World Health Organization.

News Media Releases

With your help, we made it happen: CAMO thanks sponsors and participants for the success of Expo Salud and CAMO Run 2024

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CAMO extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the sponsors, participants, collaborators, staff, employees, and everyone who contributed to the overwhelming success of our recent fundraising event, Expo Salud and CAMO Run 2024, surpassing expectations in both attendance and participation.

The CAMO Run 2024 brought together over 600 sports enthusiasts who took part in the 10K race and walk, along with other fun activities like Zumba, spinning, chess, and table tennis.

Meanwhile, during Expo Salud, three clinical areas were set up to offer general medical, dental, and ophthalmology services. CAMO also showcased its prosthetics and orthotics programs, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, and other healthcare services.

Hearing evaluations, lab tests, and nutrition counseling—featuring BMI calculations to promote healthy eating habits—were also offered. The youngest attendees enjoyed drawing and painting contests, as well as fun games designed for their recreation.

Expo Salud and CAMO Run 2024 were organized to raise funds to support the healthcare services CAMO provides to communities in need. Thanks to the joint efforts of the community, institutions, families, and professionals, the event was a resounding success.

We would like to extend a special thank you to our sponsors: Mall Uniplaza, Geotérmica Platanares, Aura Minosa and Fundación San Andrés, World Vision, Inversiones Solidarias (INSSA), Laboratorio Clínico Santa Rosa, Centro de Especialidades Odontológicas (CEO) led by Dr. Yenniffer Girón, Indicon, Embotelladora de Sula, Spartan Gym, Toros Runners Club, the Municipality of Santa Rosa de Copán, the Catholic University of Honduras (Unicah), Western International School, Café Cautiva, Agua El Celaque, and Honorable Congressman Víctor Díaz. Their support made this event possible!

Testimonies

A New Beginning for Mireya as She Hears for the First Time

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With a charming smile and brown eyes that radiate joy, Mireya Chacón arrived at the audiology clinic. This little girl, a first-grade student at San Antonio School in Santa Rosa de Copán, was born with severe hearing loss, affecting her ability to communicate.

Her aunt, Ruth Chacón, recalls that the family noticed the first signs when Mireya was only 8 months old. “She had health problems, even difficulty walking,” Ruth recounted.

Despite her hearing loss, “her teacher says she’s an intelligent girl and a good student,” Ruth proudly added. Determined to help her niece, Ruth sought a solution. 

At CAMO’s Social Investment Association (INSSA), they found hope. With a discount on the purchase of an Intuis 3P hearing aid, ideal for severe hearing loss, the family organized a fundraising marathon. 

“We raised money with donation containers, at schools, and in the streets. It was a lot of effort, but we managed to gather the funds for one of the two hearing aids she needs.”

Solidarity emerged with significant donations from Inversiones Copán, the Bueso family, and support from INSSA.

A few weeks ago, what seemed like a distant dream became a reality: Mireya heard for the first time. 

Her reaction was one of excitement, joyfully repeating the words she began to hear.

Now, Mireya is receiving speech therapy as part of her rehabilitation, with the hope of breaking down the barriers that have been with her since birth.

News Media Releases

FAKS Strengthens Its Partnership with CAMO to Help Patients with Prosthetics and Orthotics

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Stephen Herrick, President of the FAKS Foundation, accompanied by Carlos Mosher and Amy Smith, visited CAMO’s facilities in Santa Rosa de Copán, Honduras, reaffirming their commitment to the work carried out by both organizations.

FAKS witnessed firsthand the model of care that CAMO offers in the areas of health, education, and community development to those in need.

During the visit, the FAKS team met with patients who, in the past year, received prosthetics and orthotics funded by FAKS through CAMO’s program. Among them, notable stories included patients in recovery such as Hudson Pita from Gracias a Dios, Jairon Gutiérrez from Santa Rosa de Copán, Deris Guerra from Santa Rita, Bayron Mejía from Cucuyagua, and Génesis Hernández from Copán Ruinas, who expressed their gratitude for the support they received, which will enhance their quality of life.

Following the visit, Herrick assured that FAKS will continue to work closely with CAMO to provide hope and support to more people in Honduras.

FAKS, committed to improving the conditions of children and young people in low-income communities in developing countries, collaborates with CAMO to provide solutions that include prosthetics and orthotics.

In the past year, CAMO provided prosthetics and orthotics to a total of 631 patients across the country. The program aims to offer high-quality orthopedic services and items, contributing to the rehabilitation of individuals with physical limitations, so they can re-engage in productive activities and improve their quality of life.

Services offered include physical condition assessments, design and manufacture of orthotic/prosthetic devices, and care throughout the rehabilitation process.

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