In a often implacable work, the diagnosis of cancer It can mean not only a battle for health, but also a struggle for social and economic reintegration.
This is the reality faced by Jacqueline Palacios, a survivor who, after overcoming the diseasehe ran into unemployment and discrimination. Her experience led her to found the Arévete Emprende Association, an organization that today offers hope and tools to oncological patients and experts so that they can undertake.
In the recent edition of Emprende yes or yes’ with Guido Sánchez, Jacqueline shared his heartbreaking testimony. After receiving the medical discharge, she found another reality: the employers looked at her with distrust. Its physical appearance, altered by treatment, and the simple fact of having cancer, generated fear in companies.
“For the businessman, hire a person who has overcome cancer many times fills him with fear and uncertainty,” explained. “They prefer someone without an oncological diagnosis. After many closed doors, I told myself: ‘I am not going to die of cancer, but I am going to starve'” “.
With that premise, and with a small capital, he threw himself into the world of entrepreneurship. However, his path was full of stumbling. He tried several businesses and failed, even after requesting a bank loan. He realized that the impetus was not enough, he lacked knowledge about finance, market studies and management.
Dare Emprende: A space of hope and training
It was during his checkups at the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases (INEN) that Jacqueline discovered that he was not alone. His treatment companions faced the same difficulties: unemployment, depression and anxiety, aggravated by the pressure of having to keep their families.
Inspired by the need of his community, he decided to share what he had learned in the entrepreneurship workshops he attended. Thus was born in Parent, a community that is dedicated to empowering patients, survivors and mothers of children with cancer through a comprehensive approach.
“Mental health is fundamental before undertaking”said Jacqueline, highlighting that psychological support is a vacuum that the health system cannot always cover.
Jacqueline made an urgent call to the State and society, highlighting that every year about 70,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in Peru, and half survives. “That is a paralyzed labor”he emphasized. The vast majority of these survivors live in poverty or extreme poverty, not due to lack of desire, but for the shortage of opportunities.
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