By Ana Cervantes Legorreta | International Fundraising at Casa de la Amistad
Casa de la Amistad para Niños con Cáncer, I.A.P., is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 with the mission of "Helping to increase the survival rate of underprivileged children and youth with cancer in Mexico by promoting adherence to treatment." This work is carried out through four main areas of action: Early Detection, Timely Care, Appropriate Treatments, and Treatment Adherence.
In Mexico, cancer is the leading cause of death by illness among children aged under 14. Around 7,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in patients under 18; 65% are treated by IMSS, ISSSTE, PEMEX, and private hospitals, while 35% are cared for by the public healthcare system, with 1,285 supported by Casa de la Amistad. 70% of childhood cancer cases can be cured if detected early. In Mexico, the survival rate is 57% compared to 90% in the United States.
We have two main support programs: Medical Assistance and Lodging.Through the Medical Assistance Program, we complement oncology treatments by providing medications, specialized tests, prosthetics, endoprostheses, bone marrow transplants, and other essential resources for the patient’s recovery. We are committed to supporting them until their illness is healed. We currently operate in 30 public hospitals across 21 states in Mexico, including Mexico City.
At our Lodging, we provide accommodation for the child or youth and a caregiver for as long as their treatment requires. We offer three meals a day, clothing packages, food supplies, creative workshops, educational and emotional support, round-trip transportation from their place of origin, and transfers to the hospitals where they receive care. Our goal is for them to continue their studies and develop the tools they need to emerge stronger from this experience. All the services we offer are completely free of charge.
Thanks to the support of our donors and volunteers, we have helped over 16,080 families in 35 years of continuous work. In 2024 alone, we supported 1,280 children and young people. Our community includes 93 dedicated volunteers and over 900 corporate volunteers who share our commitment. We have strong partnerships with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, ABC Medical Center (The American British Cowdray Medical Center), and the Teletón Children’s Oncology Hospital (HITO).
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
