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Details and names have been changed to protect our patients' identities.
Maria had never had a cervical cancer screening. It wasn’t that she was afraid—it just never made it to the top of her list. Between applying for food stamps, checking in at her shelter, getting to job interviews, and keeping track of her belongings, scheduling a Pap smear was something she didn’t even think about. "When you’re trying to survive day by day," she said, "you don’t really stop to think about cancer."
That changed when she saw a flyer posted at the women’s shelter where she was staying: Women’s Health Event — Pap Smears, Mammograms, Transportation Provided. It was organized by Health Reach and on the weekend, when she finally had some free time. Maria was curious but unsure—she didn’t know what to expect and hadn’t been to a doctor in years. But the idea that it was “just for women,” with rides provided and people who understood what she was going through, made her feel like maybe she’d be okay showing up. When Kim, our social worker, reached out to her personally about it, she decided to go.
When Maria arrived, she was greeted by Health Reach’s social worker and led into a warm, welcoming space where women were chatting, playing cards, and sharing stories. Before the screenings began, a few of the women talked about their own experiences—how they’d felt scared or embarrassed the first time, and how getting screened had given them peace of mind. Hearing those stories helped Maria feel less alone. "I thought maybe I was the only one who didn’t know this stuff," she said. "Turns out, a lot of us don’t."
That day, Maria had her first-ever Pap smear. A few days later, the Health Reach team called her with the results—her test showed an abnormality. Rather than panic, Maria felt something else: trust. Health Reach stayed by her side, helping her understand the results and connecting her with a local GYN who performed a colposcopy. The procedure confirmed a precancerous lesion, which was treated early—before it had a chance to grow into something more serious.
Maria says she’s grateful for the experience, but even more grateful for the way it all began—with someone taking the time to invite her in and sit with her, not just as a patient, but as a woman with a story worth hearing.
Maria’s story is just one example of what happens when care is made accessible, personal, and rooted in trust. At Health Reach, we don’t just provide services—we build relationships that create real pathways to health and stability. By meeting people where they are, we help prevent serious illness, reduce emergency room use, and reconnect individuals to a system that too often leaves them out. The impact ripples outward: when one person gets the care they need, our whole community grows stronger, safer, and more connected.
