In 2006, the “Caminata Contra El Cancer”, was initiated by
founding members Freda Barber and Michele MacDonald with
energetic support from the “Rotary Club of San Felipe”, the San Felipe
“Club Las Amigas” and the “San Felipe Association of Retired Persons”.
The first event was the San Felipe Cancer Walk, held in March, 2006 and
approximately 385 people participated. In 2010, almost 500 walkers participated.

Members of the Rotary Club of Concord - Clayton Valley were so impressed that they coordinated with the John Muir Hospital of San Jose, California, for the donation of a mammogram machine. The machine went into service in May 2009 in the new “”. Training for mammogram x-ray techniques was provided by a member of the San Felipe Rotary Club, who is a retired mammogram technician instructor.

With the opening of the “Center for Cancer Detection and Education”, the “San Felipe Caminata Contra el Cancer A.C.”, a Mexican non-profit Civil Association was formed. The “Caminata” operates the Center with a Supervising Director who is Mexican Registered Nurse and the X-Ray Technician.

In addition to mammograms, Caminata nurses perform palpable breast examinations, female pelvic exams, PAP tests and PSA testing of men over 45. They also assist in any necessary follow up if or when problems are detected. The “Caminata” also transports those patients who require additional treatments, not available in San Felipe, to Mexicali or Tijuana.

To bring awareness of the importance of annual examinations and testing for early detection of cancer, the “Caminata” holds educational seminars in San Felipe and surrounding rural areas. The target population of the “San Felipe Cancer Society” and the “Caminata” is the under-served Mexican and American population of San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico.

The “San Felipe Rotary Foundation, Inc.” has handled the U.S. finances and fiscal supervision, however, the successful activities of the “Caminata” now requires that a stand-alone U.S. organization be formed to act as a fundraising, service coordinating and oversight agency. In March, 2010, the non-profit “San Felipe Cancer Society” was incorporated. The purpose of the “Society” is to raise funds and perform other activities to support the “Caminata Contra el Cancer A.C.”. It will also act as a U.S. based over-sight organization for the activities of the “Caminata”.

The “San Felipe Cancer Society” supports the “Caminata” by receiving funds through the sponsoring of an annual Cancer Walk, sale of handmade arts and crafts and other fundraising activities and events.