Mesothelioma Survivor Leading Puerto Rico Recovery Efforts

Isabel De La Camara has forgotten about the mesothelioma cancer brewing inside her belly. Her concern for others — and her desire to help them — has overshadowed everything else in her life today. De La Camara, who lives in Central Florida, has hardly slept since Hurricane Maria ripped through her beloved Puerto Rico last week, carving a horrific path of destruction that left more than 3 million people without adequate food, water and other basic necessities. Some of her closest friends and family members are among those hit the hardest in San Juan, where she was born and raised, and one day — hopefully not too soon — will be buried, too. “It’s heartbreaking to see the photos and hear the horror stories I’m hearing right now…just agonizing,” De La Camara told Asbestos.com. “People are suffering. My friends who have helped me through my problems, they need my help now.” Sending Care Packages Daily Although she has been in contact with several people living on the island — through Facebook, sparse cellphone coverage or places of worship — she still hasn’t reached others, including an elderly aunt who was living alone in the family home that was flooded. De La Camara, 49, moved to Florida in 1993, shortly after her father, grandfather, grandmother and best friend all died within a year of each other. Her attachment to the island, though, never has wavered. She still returns to visit regularly. “I’m just so stressed about this now. It’s al...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Change Your Community Christian Sharing Center cytoreduction surgery Hurricane Maria Hurricane Maria asbestos Isabel De La Camara mesothelioma treatment peritoneal mesothelioma Puerto Rico Puerto Rico asbestos exposure Puerto Rico care Source Type: news