Cristita Villaba always finds time to help breast cancer patients. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
After surviving breast cancer 15 years ago, Cristita Villaba realized she needed to convince others that cancer can be overcome.
“I was given another lease on life for me to do this mission. When I got cured, I helped cancer patients by referring them to the right hospitals and doctors,” said the 50-year-old mother.
It was in 2000 when she felt a lump in her right breast during a self-examination. She was then diagnosed with Stage I breast cancer. She was lucky that through a conscious effort to regularly check her breasts, her cancer was discovered at an early stage.
“Aside from prayers, early detection saved me,” she said.
After her operation, made possible through the help of the Eduardo J. Aboitiz Cancer Center of the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., she volunteered to be a counselor at the breast clinic of Dr. Stephen Singuan at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.
“Dr. Singuan invited me to help give counseling to women, especially those who could not accept that they have cancer,” she said.
Villaba reported everyday to the breast clinic — meeting different people, hearing the different stories of the afflicted women.
“I can relate to their situation. I get reminded of my experience when I was trying to figure out where I could seek help. I feel what they feel. They ask me a lot of questions on how I overcame cancer,” Villaba said.
Her volunteer works at the breast clinic was cut short when she gave birth to her youngest son Adriel Khen in 2006. Villaba had to focus her attention on her son and attend to the growing needs of her family.
But cancer patients still visited her in her home, asking her where to go for assistance.
Soon after, she returned to helping others.
“I find it hard to turn them down. If I have nothing to do at home, I would accompany them to the hospital,” she said.
She added that there were times she would feel hopeless especially when those that she helped succumbed to the disease.
She shared about her friend who died recently because of a cyst in his leg. She tried her best to help him last year.
“When I learned of his death I felt sad. I was accompanying him for some time,” she said, adding that God has His own purpose.
“It is tiring, but it is worth it because I know I have helped a lot of people — that is what matters,” she said.
Villaba is currently assisting five patients with different stages of cancer.
Aside from being a breast cancer volunteer, she also does outreach activities.
Every six months, she and her fellow church members hold a feeding program for children.
Villaba said she is glad that her family has been very supportive of her advocacy on early detection and prevention of cancer. /Chrisley Ann Hinayas/Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.