Bringing People Together, Surviving Cancer and Sharing Hope

This essay is part of a series we’re calling “Without a Net: Health Outside the System,” penned by our Executive Director, Lynette Sappe-Watkins.

An image of our patient, Ana Navas, in the women’s health clinic with Dr. Smith.

Culmore Clinic thrives because we have an invested community of caring volunteers and staff who are skilled, dedicated and passionate about giving back to our community of patients. They share their time, talent, and expertise to benefit the health and wellness of the neighbors we serve.  

This month, which happens to be National Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month, we have the pleasure of being the beneficiary of a fundraising campaign of another invested community member, one who has personally been impacted by a significant health scare, a cancer scare to be exact.  

Meet Pat Hynes. If Pat’s name sounds familiar it may be from her days on the Fairfax County School Board. Or perhaps you had a child in one of her classes; she is a veteran elementary school teacher. Pat’s Culmore Clinic fundraiser is a celebration of her 20th anniversary of being cancer-free. 

In 2004, Pat received a diagnosis of breast cancer. Months later, she was also faced with a melanoma (skin cancer) diagnosis. Fortunately, Pat had excellent insurance and access to skilled oncologists. She received excellent care and is now celebrating 20 years of being cancer free. Cue the confetti! 

Pat attributes her survivorship to her access to quality healthcare. And, as an engaged member of the community, she also recognizes there are many neighbors in Fairfax County who do not have ready access to healthcare. This can be ruinous when there is a personal or family healthcare crisis. Pat knows that, thanks to Culmore Clinic, our neighbors can access quality healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Ana Navas is native of El Salvador who has been a Culmore Clinic patient since 2017. She is undergoing radiation therapy due to a breast cancer diagnosis that evolved from a women’s health screening visit last summer with Dr. Melisande Smith, one of the Clinic’s volunteer physicians. 

Ana is thankful to Culmore Clinic that her cancer was detected early from a routine screening exam and that through Culmore Clinic, and our referral partner Inova, she has been able to receive top quality care to help her through her surgical and treatment journey. She has faith that she will join Pat as a breast cancer survivor. 

Ana reports that she feels supported by the clinical and non-clinical staff, and knows if she has a question or concern, she know she can always ask. In addition to the women’s health offerings, she has utilized other Clinic services like nutrition classes and met with the Clinic’s mental health therapist.  

“I tell my friends that I have always been treated well at the clinic and that I’m grateful and happy to have them.”

-Ana Navas

Pat and Ana, two women from very different backgrounds, share not only the sisterhood of breast cancer, but also value Culmore Clinic, a community asset that brings community together to advance the health of our neighbors. Cheers to Pat and Ana, their providers, and their future. 

Support Culmore Clinic’s work so that we can continue providing for patients like Ana, so that they may have survivor stories like Pat’s.

SIDEBAR:

“It may surprise you that nationally, Virginia has the 9th largest immigrant population in the United States. Here in Fairfax County, the immigrant population exceeds 30%. As a result, we are living and working with a diverse and growing population of people who are in varying stages of acclimation to our way of life and our systems for health, education and employment. Culmore Clinic supports the healthcare needs of many immigrants in Fairfax County, especially those living in the Bailey’s Crossroads/Seven Corners corridor. Most of these residents are employed, but do not have access to employer sponsored healthcare plans. 

The challenges of our neighbors persist... medical and non-medical. But for many in our community health is no doubt influenced by where they live, work, play and learn. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), people who have been historically marginalized in our communities have more difficulty navigating healthcare. Culmore Clinic exists to support the healthcare needs of our neighbors with barriers to access healthcare resources. Please consider supporting our work so that we may continue providing care for our community.”