Fighting Breast Cancer, Saving Lives in Haiti

Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Haitian women. Unlike in many other nations, our patients are diagnosed at a much younger age and with far more advanced stages of the disease. This late-stage diagnosis leads to a heartbreaking 60% mortality rate — the highest in the entire Caribbean region.

When a young mother loses her battle with breast cancer, the ripple effects devastate her children, her family, and her entire community. In Haiti's fragile economic and political landscape, specialized medical resources are incredibly scarce. Our program isn't just essential — it is a vital lifeline for the Grand'Anse province and a blueprint for community-based cancer care across the country.

2012–2019: The Power of Collaboration

Our breast cancer program began in 2012 as a cross-border volunteer effort. Dedicated teams from Avera Health in South Dakota — including radiologists, nurses, and technicians — partnered with Haitian volunteers to launch vital screenings and identify treatable cases. Over the years, a network of compassionate US volunteers across South Dakota, Connecticut, and Florida provided critical pathology services, while Dr. Dan Scopetta of Connecticut organized specialized surgical teams to perform life-saving mastectomies.

2020–Present: Overcoming Obstacles, Building Local Capacity

When the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, and escalating political and gang violence made it impossible for US volunteers to travel to Haiti, our mission didn't stop. Instead, we adapted, pivoted, and focused heavily on building local medical independence.

With the unwavering technical and financial backing of our US donors, we achieved incredible milestones:

• Advanced Diagnostics: GAHDA purchased an ultrasound machine and successfully trained our local Haitian medical team to perform precise biopsies.
• Localized Chemotherapy: In 2025, chemotherapy became accessible in southern Haiti through our longtime partner, Dr. Bernard Joseph. Patients can now receive treatment at the Klinik Kansè Sen Peregren in Les Cayes, just a 2.5-hour drive from Jérémie.
• Surgical Independence: Mastectomies are now performed directly at Hospital St. Antoine in Jérémie by a skilled Haitian surgeon.
• Continuous Care: Throughout every crisis, GAHDA has steadily maintained community education, screening, diagnosis, and treatment services.

Exponential Growth & Impact

We have transformed how breast cancer care is delivered in our region:

So far in 2026, we have already provided comprehensive diagnostic, treatment, and supportive care to 116 cancer patients. While too many women still reach us in the late stages of the disease, 16% of our patients have successfully survived 5 to 11 years post-diagnosis.

With continued community outreach and health provider education, our goal is clear: detect cancer earlier, elevate patient survival rates, and drastically improve the quality of life for the women of Haiti.