Breast cancer survivor dedicating her time to woman in Latino community

Beating the odds of breast cancer takes more than cutting-edge technology and medicine. Sometimes, it means reaching women in their own language and culture.

We'd like to introduce you to a survivor dedicating her time to doing just that.

When you meet Charito Morales, she'll proudly tell you about family adventures, like a Halloween outing and of her volunteer work for better health in the Hispanic community.

It's been her passion since she battled cancer six years ago.

"I was 28-years-old, I was on my third year of college," Charito explained.

First cervical cancer, then breast cancer left Charito feeling guilty and ashamed.

She says, "For me, cancer - in my community - you're sick, you're gonna die, you're not worth it."

"I thought I was punished - I was punished. I say, 'what did I do?'"

She also felt lonely and confused in a medical system that didn't speak her language, and seemed so distant.

Then she met Marla Vega, and learned about Naveguemos con Salud, a breast health program for Latinas.

Marla Vega tells us the program is important, "Particularly in the population that doesn't have health insurance, that doesn't have documentation."

The group connects women to mammograms and other services.

Marla says, "Many of them are free, but people don't know how to navigate the health system."

Before long, Charito rebounded and was reaching out to other Latinas.

"I translate for them," Charito said. "If they cry, I cry. If they need a hug, I give them a hug."

"If we have to talk at 2 or 3 in the morning, that's what we do."

Charito's husband, Jose, enjoys cooking for the navigators group. And Charito says she has found a new calling.

"It was a way God told me, 'this is what you're gonna do.'"

You can educate yourself about breast cancer tomorrow here on 6abc. Experts from Abington Hospital will be here from 4 till 6 pm for a web chat, answering your questions.

And on Saturday morning, lace up your sneakers for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. Ceremonies begin at 7:30, the walk begins at 8:30.