In 2003, at the age of 39, Dora Arias was diagnosed with breast cancer. "It came as a complete shock," she says. Arias was working in investment banking and had good health insurance, but even so, she felt that she was on her own. "It was very overwhelming for me to get doctors and treatment in place, because back then we didn't have patient navigation," she says.

Arias considers herself lucky. Her disease was diagnosed early and she had the financial resources and family support to help her through her care and treatment. But she saw quite clearly that not everyone has the same access to treatment and resources. So, in 2009, Arias founded Curémonos, a New Jersey-based nonprofit that empowers and advocates for medically underserved breast cancer patients, providing them with education and support during their treatment.

"We started with breast-health education in nearby underserved communities, meaning Latino and African American communities," she says. Soon Curémonos was connecting their patients with free breast-cancer screenings at local hospitals.

Arias, who is the Executive Director of Curémonos, a finalist for the 2019 C2 Catalyst for Change Award, was determined to seek out those needing an advocate to navigate breast cancer screening, care, and resources. "I would go to restaurants and other businesses that I knew and ask if I could talk with the women who worked there," she explains. "Some employers were very receptive and opened the doors, but some did not want to be bothered."

Despite the obstacles, Arias and her colleagues have helped about 625 women in Summit, New Jersey, and nearby communities get free screenings for breast cancer, with bigger plans on the horizon. She's dedicated to continually working with her team to make meaningful change for the lives of medically underserved women impacted by breast cancer.

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