EVERYTHING STARTED WITH A FRIEND’S PHONE CALL. SOON THIS UNFOLDED INTO A STRONGER CONNECTION: SEVERAL UNITED WOMEN BROUGHT TO FIGHT TO CHANGE THE HISTORY OF THE BREAST CANCER.

It was September 2017 and Gabriella Antici was facing breast cancer for the second time. Despite having undergone breast removal surgery less than three years ago, the condition had returned. Gabriella was not discouraged and resumed the complete treatment: new surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

One day, she got the call from a friend who wanted to know how she was doing. They talked about her health status and also reflected on how the time between diagnosis and initiation of treatment can influence the chance of cure of  the patients, especially when there is lack or restriction of resources.

The call ended. Yet Gabriella's reflections continued…

How many of the 60,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in Brazil can count on prompt and adequate treatment, fundamental to increase the chances of cure of this disease?

Gabriella knew that, currently, 25% of Brazilians die five years after the diagnosis of breast cancer. That is almost two women per hour who lose their lives to a disease with a 95% chance of cure.

How to help change and improve this reality?

Gabriella's response was: to unite people who believe that all women have the same rights and must have quick access to a quality and worthy treatment for the cure of breast cancer.

In June 2018, she founded the Protea Institute - bringing together a very special team of Counselors: five women who overcame breast cancer and five others with experience in nonprofit social organizations. In addition to these women, Gabriella invited oncologists and breast cancer specialists who have been struggling daily for more than 20 years against this disease. 

Founders

We are a group willing to donate and do everything possible to beat breast cancer. Our aim is to continue to spread more and more this cause so that we can have means to expand our performance, increase the number of patients treated and help change the current situation. This is how our fight begins! Get to know our work better and join us in this race for life!