Faced with a serious medical diagnosis, it’s easy to feel alone, lost in the complexities of a medical jungle. It’s during those tough times that Caritas Clinics’ mission is at its best, acting like a compass to guide our patients toward successful health outcomes. This is where Duchesne Clinic patient Maria Moreno found herself, needing help finding the right path to take and how to get there.  

At age 56, a routine mammogram led to an abnormal result, and Maria was told she needed additional testing. She reached out to several organizations in her area but was turned away because she was uninsured. Then she found Duchesne Clinic. At Duchesne, Maria found herself amongst caregivers who not only understood the immediacy of her condition, but also the burden of stress it carried. Sharing her fears with them, watching them respond in such a caring, meticulous way to make sure she received the required testing, confirmed Maria’s belief she was exactly where she needed to be.    

“I have always, always had in mind that God always puts everyone in the right place. God is always present. And He was always present with me, and He put the right people in my place. I am incredibly grateful with this clinic because thanks to God and thanks to the staff, every time I come in, I always receive great care.” 

Additional tests confirmed Maria’s worst fear: she had breast cancer. News like this is unquestionably terrifying, but she was determined to remain confident and maintain hope. She had more life to live and had always looked forward to being a grandmother.   

“I would tell myself, if I die, I will not be able to meet my grandchildren.” 

Maria’s caregivers spent a great deal of time negotiating with several different community agencies who all worked together to make this story a success. Thanks to community partnerships Duchesne has worked hard to establish and the arduous work of our care coordinators, Maria was able to be referred to a surgeon and have the cancer removed. Six years after her initial diagnosis and cancer free, Maria remains tremendously grateful to everyone at Duchesne, and now follows with regular visits to the clinic. She feels healthy and continues to retain her good spirits, understanding that having a compass to help you navigate your health makes all the difference in the world. Best of all, Maria is now a grandmother to two beautiful kids. 

“I said thank you Lord, what a blessing you have given me. I am incredibly grateful with God because He gave me life and allowed me to meet my grandchildren. I'm so grateful with God and with this clinic too, I am grateful with everyone, because every time I have needed them, they have been there for me.”