The Soroptimist Philippines International, an affiliate of Soroptimist International America (SIA), continues to provide an accessible cancer detection clinic for women in Davao City.
A local project of the club, the Cancer Detection Cinic for Women is charging P200 for any of the services, namely, pap smear, gram stain, breast examination and consultation.
Girlie J. Piccio, past president, said that in the past the donation was minimal—only P50—because their obstretician-gynecologists (OB-Gyne) were members of the club, and their services were free of charge. “But, because our voluntary doctors had other priorities, we hired new doctors to continue the clinic,” she said.
Fely K. Mahani, corresponding secretary, noted that in their clinic the donation of P200 is still less than the amount it would cost them which normally is from P500 to P600 in other clinics.
“Cancer is curable if this is detected in the earlier stage,” Piccio said, thus members of the Soroptimist club extend their help by providing the cancer detection clinic for women.
As much as they would like to, Marilyn C. Roque, public relations officer, told reporters that once a patient is detected with cancer the club can only refer them to oncologists in hospitals. The clinic is located at the Soroptimist Bldg., Jacinto Extension, Davao City, and it is open every Saturday, from one to three o’clock in the afternoon.
The SIA also provides an opportunity for underprivileged women to attain higher education through its Women’s Opportunity Award. Rosalie Russell, president of Soroptimist Phils. International, said they give grants to women to finish their education despite being the head of the family.
“Our requirement in joining this competition is that the women should be the bread winner of the family and must have completed at least high school education, married or unmarried,” Piccio said.
This award will have a national winner from candidates nominated by all 85 Soroptimist clubs in the Philippines. The SIA will award $5,000 to the national winner and $3,000 each to eight runner-ups.
“We had a winner before who was a housemaid. Considering her wages, she can send herself to school, kaya lang nagkasakit ang parents nya (but her parents got ill) so, instead of using her money for her own use, she had to send her money to her parents. She’s now considered as a breadwinner because she’s not just supporting herself but also other people,” Piccio said.
With 32 members in Davao City, the Soroptimist Phils International is composed of professional women and women in business. Expanding their membership by invitation, they admit that some business women opt to be associated with the Rotary Club to which their husbands belong. [Lorie Ann A. Cascaro]
Piccio said the Soroptimist club is composed only of women, and its services and advocacies are solely for the welfare and interest of women.
