Videos | Cancer patient Valeria Pérez turns to President De La Espriella, following seven-year-old Lucas Murillo’s example

Valeria Pérez Jaramillo said she had gone more than three months without cancer treatment while her illness progressed rapidly. The 29-year-old from Cartago, in Colombia’s Valle del Cauca department, appealed publicly for help through social media.

Pérez, who has breast cancer with lung, lymph-node and pectoral metastases, said the health insurer SOS had not authorized or provided the medication she needed. Her treatment and medical procedures had stalled, leaving her case in a critical position.

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I dream of seeing her grow up, it is every mother’s dream.

Her appeal followed the example of Lucas Murillo, a seven-year-old with a severe heart condition whose own plea to President Abelardo De La Espriella had gone viral days earlier. Pérez recorded one video asking for assistance and another describing her treatment after authorities responded.

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My name is Valeria Pérez Jaramillo, I am 29 years old, I am an oncology patient. Four years ago I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, with lung, lymph-node and pectoral metastases.

The intervention led the national government and SOS to expedite her urgent transfer to Clínica Imbanaco in Cali. Medical staff there began diagnostic examinations and the therapeutic protocols she urgently required.

Pérez said she had a four-year-old daughter and wanted to watch her grow. “I dream of seeing her grow up, it is every mother’s dream,” she said. She also thanked De La Espriella, his wife, Health Minister Ana María Vesga, SOS representative Francia Nieto and health-sector advocate Emma Vélez for helping move her case forward.

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For three months I have had no treatment, and SOS gives me no information. If they do not give me this medicine, I will not get through this.