Today, I want to share with you why I lead a non-profit organization dedicated to the daily fight for equal access to preventive healthcare. What drives us? It's the unwavering motivation to ensure that everyone can enjoy a full and healthy life by having access to healthcare services.
The day I decided to dedicate my life to VOCESPR, and its mission of promoting equitable access to health, is reaffirmed each time I receive a call or a message on social networks with questions like, "Where can I get the flu vaccine? COVID-19 vaccines? For myself or my children?" Or every time a community reaches out to us with a request to vaccinate a bedridden person, and we find ourselves unable to assist. It hits me when I encounter a patient with Hepatitis C who struggles to access available treatments, hindered by our highly segmented healthcare system.
The driving force behind our existence is our commitment to promoting equity. The need for access to healthcare grows every time an individual approaches us, lacking the resources to afford a vaccine that's deemed too expensive. When a woman diagnosed with cervical cancer reaches out to us for help in accessing her treatment, or when individuals discover their medical plans do not cover the HPV vaccines due to age or coverage limitations, we can step in and provide guidance.
Each of these instances reinforces the notion that in the past 10 years, we've made significant strides. We've responded to major emergencies, including influenza epidemics, Hurricane Maria, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic, by reaching out to the most vulnerable communities and populations.
For these reasons and many more, we recognize that there is still much work to be done. Together, we are more effective, and our work model yields tangible and measurable results.
In response to the pandemic:
Over 850,000 COVID-19 doses administered
11,200 events where held in various communities
Over 500,000 working hours
More than 500 volunteers collaborated
In terms of social advocacy, collaborative efforts with other sectors have advanced public policies for better access to Hepatitis C treatment. For example, Law 67, regulatory letters that enhance patient navigation, and collaborative programs that have directly impacted patient outcomes. We've successfully advocated for a vaccination registry for all and improved access to vaccination for everyone.
Over the past 10 years, we've executed more than 50 educational campaigns, consistently combating misinformation and educating on health-related issues. We've educated over 13,000 healthcare professionals on topics including childhood and adult vaccination, Hepatitis C, HPV-associated cancers, Telehealth, and more.
Today, our commitment remains unwavering, with our hearts set on reaching more people and advocating for preventive health access and equitable healthcare for all. Our new "CONTIGO PR" campaign highlights our work and educates about our mission. Individuals, organizations, and entities can support our mission through their contributions on our website.
The impact on public health has been made possible through the collaboration of individuals, companies, and organizations with a profound sense of social responsibility and a vision for a healthier community.
We know that you share our vision and mission, and we are ready to continue reaching out to every community when they need us. We aim to keep changing lives, and your contribution would greatly assist us in achieving this. Your financial support will enable us to reach a more diverse audience, healthcare professionals, children, adults, and vulnerable communities through educational programs on disease prevention, well-being, health access, and immunization. To learn more about VOCESPR, please visit vocespr.org or find us on social networks (Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram).
We sincerely hope for your generous collaboration, and I want to express my gratitude in advance for your attention and willingness to contribute in the name of VOCES Immunization and Health Promotion Coalition of Puerto Rico.
VOCESPR is a non-profit organization with 1101.01 certification from the Department of the Treasury of Puerto Rico and a 501(c)(3) Certification from the Federal Government, allowing you to receive tax benefits for 2023 if your contribution is made on or before December 31. For more information, please contact me at lilliam@vocespr.org or call 787-607-2323.
I am counting on you because we want to continue making a difference.
Sincerely,
Lilliam Rodriguez
Principal Officer and Founder