Support for women diagnosed with cancer

Thanks to the continued generosity of those who support our mission, Cruz Rosa Monterrey remains a place of care, dignity, and hope for women facing a cancer diagnosis and for the caregivers who accompany them throughout their treatment journey.

From January to April 2026, our shelter welcomed 52 women and 71 caregivers, benefiting a total of 123 individuals. During this period, patients continued to receive the comprehensive services that are part of our care model, including lodging, meals, emotional support, nursing care, and guidance throughout their treatment process. We also strengthening our rehabilitation services, whith 48 patients beginning specialized lymphedema therapy, helping them mobility, reducing discomfort, and support their recovery during and after cancer treatment.

Thanks to the donations received, we were also able to carry out important maintenance and improvements to our facilities, ensuring a safe and dignified environment for the women we serve. These updates included the renovation of the lymphedema therapy area, as well as improvements to the dining room, kitchen, and multi-purpose room, essential spaces that support the daily care and well-being of our patients.

A Story of Hope

María de Lourdes, 57, from Monterrey, Nuevo León, was diagnosed with bilateral breast cancer, with a different type of cancer in each breast. During her treatment, she began experiencing pain, swelling, and loss of mobility in one of her arms, which soon became a physical and emotional challenge in her daily life.

Following medical advice, she began rehabilitation and arrived at Cruz Rosa in September 2024 to start lymphedema therapy. At first, she felt fear and uncertainty, but throughout her sessions she found encouragement, care, and motivation from the team at Cruz Rosa.

Today, María de Lourdes attends therapy once a week and has made significant progress. She happily shares that she has regained mobility in her arm and can once again carry out her daily activities independently. She feels deeply grateful to Cruz Rosa for the support and care she received throughout her recovery.

Her story is a powerful reminder of why it is so important to continue providing spaces of care, rehabilitation, and hope for women facing cancer.

Links:

• Cruz Rosa Website

Thanks to the constant support of our donors, the Cruz Rosa shelter closed the year providing companionship, comprehensive care, and a safe space for women facing a cancer diagnosis. From August to December, we provided integral attention to 67 women, benefiting a total of 170 individuals including patients and caregivers. We are proud to share that, over the course of the entire year, our shelter supported 457 people, allowing women with cancer to continue their treatment even when far from home.

During this period, we strengthened activities that promote the emotional and mental well-being of our patients. We organized cultural outings to the Glass Museum, the Superior School of Music and Dance, and the Rosa de los Vientos Cultural Center, offering moments of recreation and connection with art. In addition, we permanently integrated volunteer-led activities such as yoga and art therapy, both warmly received for their positive impact. To close the year, we held a heartfelt Christmas posada, a deeply meaningful event for women undergoing treatment away from their families.

María Elena Montelongo, 42, arrived at Cruz Rosa on September 29 accompanied by her father, seeking a safe place to stay during her treatment since they had no relatives in Monterrey. Diagnosed with cervical cancer, she began radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which affected her health during the third week, causing nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and low tolerance to food. Our nursing team provided close follow-up, and our psychology team supported her emotionally through her most difficult days. Although her treatment was briefly delayed while she recovered, she was able to reintegrate and complete it with a much-improved outlook. She was discharged on October 30, deeply grateful for the support she received and for the care provided to her father as well.

Despite the progress achieved, we continue working toward important goals to strengthen the care we offer. One of them is the renovation of our psychology area, with the purpose of creating a specialized space for meditation and relaxation, allowing us to offer deeper interventions that support emotional stability during treatment. We also continue improving our facilities and expanding the infrastructure needed to meet the growing demand for patient services. Thank you for walking alongside Cruz Rosa and making it possible for more women to find hope, support, and well-being during the most challenging moments of their lives.

Links:

• Cruz Rosa Website