Community Champions Maria Elena and Jorge: Bringing Hope in the Language of Home
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Maria Elena Rosado, and my husband’s name is Jorge Valdes. We were born in Cuba, where I earned my degree as a medical doctor and later specialized in Epidemiology. My husband also graduated as an engineer. We came to the United States in 2003. I am a Registered Nurse, and my husband is a church pastor. This December, we will celebrate 40 years of marriage.
How have you been involved with the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation?
We have been involved with the Foundation because I was diagnosed in June 2023 and applied to the Foundation as a patient mentor, and my husband as a caregiver mentor. We have been volunteering in these mentorship roles for the Foundation for the past few months.
What has been the most meaningful part of your involvement?
The most meaningful part has been offering support in various ways to patients and families, especially to Spanish speakers, since Spanish is our first language, and many Hispanics seek help in their language. We have also focused on preparing ourselves through seminars and increasing Hispanic participation in Spanish-language support groups.
What message would you like to share with others in the cholangiocarcinoma community?
We would like to share a message of hope with members, patients, and families—to let them know they are not alone on this journey.
How do you stay motivated and hopeful in this work?
We remain motivated and hopeful through our faith.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Many thanks to the Foundation for this opportunity to serve the community. Thanks to the doctors, nurses, technicians, and all hospital staff for their work. Thanks be to God.
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Buenas tardes: Respondiendo a sus preguntas:
Mi nombre es Maria Elena Rosado y el de mi esposo es Jorge Valdes. Nacimos en Cuba donde yo me gradué de doctora en Medicina y luego especialista en Epidemiologia. Mi esposo también graduado de ingeniería. Llegamos en el 2003 a Estados Unidos. Actualmente soy Enfermera Registrada y mi esposo es pastor de una iglesia. En diciembre cumplimos 40 anos de casados.
Con la fundación hemos estado involucrados debido a que soy paciente diagnosticada en Junio del 2023 y aplique a esta Fundacion como mentora de pacientes y mi esposo como mentor de familiares cuidadores. Hemos trabajado voluntariamente en las labores de mentores como parte de la Fundacion desde hace algunos meses.
La parte mas significativa ha sido brindar apoyo en diferentes aspectos a pacientes y familias en especial a los hispanos, siendo el español nuestro primer lenguaje y con mas de hispanos solicitando ayuda en su idioma Tambien nos hemos enfocados en prepararnos mediante los seminarios y aumentar la participación de hispanos en los grupos de apoyo en español. El mensaje que nos gustaría compartir con los miembros, pacientes y familias, es un mensaje de esperanza y decirles que no están solos en este recorrido.
Nos mantenemos motivados y con esperanza por medio de la fe.
Muchas gracias a la Fundacion por esta oportunidad de servicio a la comunidad. Gracias a doctores, enfermeras, técnicos, trabajadores en general de los hospitales por toda la labor que realizan. Gracias a Dios.
