Early Detection Saves LivesSince our founding in 2007, SewHope has screened more than 25,600 women for cervical cancer. In 2024 alone, we performed 7,472 Pap smears and procedures, helping to detect and prevent this life-threatening disease. Last year, we diagnosed 70 women with cervical cancer. To put that into perspective, since she began practicing medicine, Dr. Anne Ruch has seen 2 cases of full-blown cervical cancer in the United States. In their own words, listen to how SewHope saved one family
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Where We Work
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The Petén Region:
1. is 13,843 sq mi in size (slightly larger than the state of Maryland) 2. has a population of approx. 600,000 3. consists of 14 municipalities 4. is relatively inaccessible with limited infrastructure SewHope spends roughly 1/3 of the year bringing life-saving screening and treatment directly to the villages — working in empty schools, churches, and clinics where women gather. With pap smears, cryotherapy, and education, we are detecting and treating cervical cancer before it takes hold. Our reach spans the entire Petén department, where thousands of women have now been screened and treated. Each one has a name, a story, and a family who loves her. Behind every statistic is a life saved, a family preserved, a future reclaimed. |
Because preventing cervical cancer isn’t just medical work — it’s life-saving, future-building, hope-restoring work.
Support Cervical Cancer Prevention
Andres and Hector read slides in the new cytology lab at SewHope
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In early 2024, SewHope’s Cytology Laboratory received official licensing from the Guatemalan Ministry of Health, solidifying our role as a national leader in cervical cancer prevention.
Our lab provides accurate and timely cervical cancer screenings, and advanced diagnoses. It also serves as a key referral center - women with abnormal pap smear results from across the country are directed to SewHope for advanced testing and treatment. Beyond diagnostics, we’re committed to strengthening Guatemala’s healthcare system from the inside out. Under the leadership of our Director of Health, Mayra, we train nursing students and healthcare professionals from across the Petén region in proper cervical screening techniques, ensuring quality and consistency in care for years to come. With the capacity to support quality control for pap smears across the national health system, SewHope is not only delivering critical services - we are building a more responsive system for women’s health. Just $6 can provide a life-saving cervical cancer screening. Join us in expanding access to this essential care and empowering a healthier future for women in Guatemala. |
CERVICAL CANCER PROGRAM ASPECTS
Because cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Guatemala, SewHope has made it a priority to work on its prevention. Recognized by the Guatemalan Ministry of Health as a leader in cervical cancer prevention in Guatemala, we work with local health centers to train and educate other medical personnel about cervical cancer screening and prevention, HPV and screening techniques.
In January 2024, SewHope's Cervical Cancer Prevention program expanded by opening an accredited Guatemalan laboratory.
In January 2024, SewHope's Cervical Cancer Prevention program expanded by opening an accredited Guatemalan laboratory.
PreventionSince 2012, SewHope has performed over 25,000 pap smears to screen for cervical cancer and 3,200 treatments for pre-cancerous abnormalities. 
Dr. Ruch presents Chinh Nguyen of Propath with the Shannon E Wilson Award
HPV TestingSewHope partners with Propath Pathology Services at the University of Texas to test all slides for various types human papilloma virus (HPV), the causal agent of most cervical cancers. 
Local PartnershipsFor several years, SewHope has worked with Dr. Palma and the San Benito National Hospital to help educate families in Peten about the importance of the HPV vaccine, allowing us to spread the word on the vaccines effectiveness and to detect the potential for high risk infections, which will help save the lives of young women. SewHope maintains a great relationship not only with the San Benito National Hospital and the Guatemalan Ministry of Health: they often refer women to us for screening and treatments, and we refer patients to them who are outside of our clinic's treatment capabilities. In addition to providing pap smears at our clinic in Santa Ana, Guatemala, SewHope partners with groups such as Afosa, a Guatemalan organization that focuses on health, family planning, education and development projects in Peten, who employ young Guatemalans trained to run specific community projects. |
JornadasSewHope medical staff travel throughout the Petén to bring preventative care to even the most remote of communities. Every year dozens of communities benefit from the outreach done by our nurses and visiting physicians from the Americas. 
CytologyOur on-staff nurse is a Guatemalan-certified cytologist and trains with U.S. cytologists. We recently completed a fully functional cytology lab, which gives us the ability to read pap smears on-site and give our patients test results quickly as well as screen pap smears from several local facilities. Thank Youto those who make our cervical cancer prevention program possible: Dr. Anne Ruch Chetti Smith Hologic ProMedica Propath Pathology Services at the University of Texas Zonta Club of Toledo Rotary Club of Toledo Hector Garcia |
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Flori's StoryFlori was a young Guatemalan woman who came to SewHope's clinic in 2010 with advanced cervical cancer. Through the generosity and hard work of many different individuals in the Toledo area, Flori was able to come to the United States for treatment. Sadly, she passed away in 2011, from a disease that could have been prevented with proper screening and early treatment.
But her death was not in vain - news spread quickly of Flori's cancer and the gringos who had done their best to help her. Because of her witness, many of her friends and neighbors came to get screened... and then their friends and neighbors came to get screened... and word spread about the importance of pap smears. Read more of Flori's story here. |