Hope Within Reach

María Julieta Betzawik Tamayac, a 56 year old woman from the rural community of Caquixajay in Tecpán, presented with a one year history of a progressively enlarging mass on her left cheek. As part of her medical history, she also reported recurrent headaches associated with long standing hypertension, which is currently not well controlled.

On physical examination, a 4 × 3 cm mass was identified in the left cheek, described as firm, mobile, and non-tender to palpation. A soft tissue ultrasound was requested, which reported a benign solid lesion in the left cheek, with angiolipoma as the most likely diagnosis. Based on these findings, the patient was informed about the upcoming Team Hope 2026 medical outreach, where she could receive specialized evaluation and potential surgical management. She expressed great happiness and eagerly requested to be included in Team Hope mission.

María’s story goes beyond timely diagnosis and appropriate referral, it represents the identification of a patient who will greatly benefit from a surgical intervention that would otherwise be inaccessible to her. She has been successfully referred to the outreach, where she will be evaluated by an ENT, bringing her one step closer to definitive treatment and improved quality of life.