pt_BR
pt_BR
DONATE
DONATE

ABOUT US

Protea Institute is a non-profit social organization born in 2018. We believe that every woman has the right to receive appropriate, quality, and timely treatment following a breast cancer diagnosis. Our mission is to provide these patients with access to treatment to increase their chances of cure and decrease mortality from this disease.

Protea is one of the most beautiful and ancient flowers in the world. It comes from South Africa and its name derives from the Greek God Proteua deity with the power of metamorphosis. The Protea flower has the ability to transform and to adapt to inhospitable environmental conditions. A robust flower, Protea stands for transformation, hope and strength, and represents the resilience to adapt and overcome breast cancer in patients helped by Protea.

Protea Institute currently works in partnership with Santa Marcelina Hospital, in São Paulo, to quickly provide low-income breast cancer patients with access to appropriate, quality treatment, as we know that time is a healer. The sooner this patient starts her treatment, the greater the chance her cancer will be cured. We work in partnership with this hospital, funding exams, consultations, surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, increasing the number of patients assisted and reducing the time between diagnosis and beginning treatment.

Our team includes 6 women; 16 volunteer specialists on the Advisory Board, Audit Committee and Executive Board; 6 volunteer physicians - breast cancer specialists - making up the Medical Board; and, also, 20 volunteers who multiply the work done.

The financial resources raised by Protea Institute come from donations from companies and individuals.

BREAST CANCER IN BRAZIL

Because, unfortunately, many cases are detected late, and there can be a delay between diagnosis and starting treatment. The chances of cure are greater when the diagnosis is made early in the development of the disease and the woman has access to treatment quickly.

PROJECTS

They are our proposals for action, through which we obtain resources, partnerships, and, consequently, greater reach and support for the early detection of breast cancer and its treatment.

Protea Amar is the main focus of Protea Institute. Through it, we fund exams, consultations, surgery, and complete treatment for low-income women with breast cancer, helping to reduce the waiting time for diagnosis.

These are patients referred to Protea’s partner philanthropic hospitals (in São Paulo, the partnership is with Santa Marcelina Hospital) from community health care clinics through the CROSS and Hebe Camargo SUS (Unified Health Care) system. Protea does not choose which patients will have their treatments paid for by the Institute.

Protea does not choose the women to be treated. The SUS Cross system refers the patient, and the partner hospital strictly follows that order. Protea pays for part of the treatment, complementing SUS funding. The amount for the patients’ treatment is passed on, every month, until the end of the treatment.

Based on analyses of patients’ mammograms, this project aims to estimate the chances of a woman having breast cancer in up to 5 years, with consequent monitoring for early detection. The Artificial Intelligence project was developed by M.I.T (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and was implemented in June 2022 as a research project at Santa Marcelina Hospital, with funds donated by the Patrick McGovern Foundation.

The project aims to understand the patient’s entire journey - from primary to tertiary care - with the first phase having mapped the experience of public system users throughout the care service, identifying opportunities for early diagnosis and recording the “headaches” patients are faced with during this journey. Through a study based on “In Design Research”, it was possible to see how the actions of the different professionals who interact with the patient ensure - or not - the efficiency of the service, creating space for proposing new services and improving the women’s quality of life

To be a basic information reference bank for women going through breast cancer and their families, or even individuals who have questions about the topic. It will also enable the referral of patients from partner hospitals to be streamlined through Patient Navigation. From videos by health care providers, therapists, and patient testimonials, guidance and information are available on detection and types of treatment for breast cancer, ways to prevent it and emotional support. Everything to help women detect, seek out skilled professionals, and treat breast cancer and its effects early.

This project is not a substitute for medical consultations and monitoring.

DONATIONS

100% of the financial donations received by the Institute are directed to the cost of treatments and the Protea team. You can see our financial reports here

There is no minimum donation amount.

There are many ways to donate to Protea Institute:

- Make a payment using PIX to CNPJ 30.817.976/0001-12

- You can access Protea’s donation page directly. Simply click here

- Wire transfer to Itaú bank (341), branch 9337, checking account 12887-1, Beneficiary: Instituto Protea, CNPJ: 30.817.976/0001-12

- For international donations, click here or email contato@institutoprotea.org.br

The amount varies, but on average it is 22,000 reais per patient, and the average duration is 11 months.

No. Financial donations enable treatment costs to be covered, but partnerships with companies for raising awareness, publicity, and individuals who want to work as volunteers are also very welcome.

SUPPORT GROUP

By definition, a support group is a space where people get together to talk and exchange experiences about a common issue. In our case, the Women’s Health Support Group welcomes female cancer patients from Santa Marcelina Hospital, and besides the conversation circles, it offers other complementary activities including, but not limited to, art therapy, psychotherapy, stretching, physiotherapy, micropigmentation. The patient is directed to contact Protea by the hospital’s Mastology team or by other patients. From then on, she will be able to attend meetings and participate in the proposed activities.

One of the reports we hear most from patients is that it makes a lot of difference to have someone to talk to, especially if that person has also been through breast cancer. Listening and sharing life stories beyond breast cancer can restore self esteem, as well as help in understanding the disease, the journey they have and will have ahead and, above all, it supports and provides tools for emotional balance.

The Women’s Health Support Group is offered to patients who are treated at the Santa Marcelina partner hospital.

 

plugins premium WordPress