Karen Rivera, TDC
This from WorldVision.Org.PH

In the Philippines, tuberculosis (TB) claims 75 lives everyday. Confronted by stigma and resigned to living fearfully with TB, many people do not seek the treatment they need. As part of the global campaign against TB, World Vision is helping communities in the Philippines respond through a network of local volunteers dedicated to supporting those affected by the disease.

Among the volunteers is Cedes, a mother of four living in Iloilo City, who has had more experience than most in responding to TB. As a volunteer in one of the 341 taskforces in the country, Cedes juggles her time taking care of her family and helping people in her village prevent the spread of TB.

Before the taskforce started working in her community, Cedes says that people didn’t have the information they need to protect themselves from the disease. Nor did they know that TB can be cured.

“People would rather suffer in shame and silence than seek medical attention,” shares Cedes. As a task force member, she has the tough job of convincing people with symptoms of TB to seek diagnosis and access free treatment from local health services.

Cedes knows too well what it’s like to be in their shoes. Her experience of having a family member sick with TB has given Cedes a stronger resolve to help her community come to terms with TB.