Cervical cancer is a nearly 100% treatable disease, and yet in the next 15 years it is expected to kill six million women – 90% of whom will live in developing countries.

By Pam Kahl, Vice President, Communications and Development, Grounds For Health

In the last 18 months, Grounds for Health has quietly reorganized to meet our goal of reaching 50,000 women annually by 2020.

And the results from 2015 indicate that we are starting to realize this vision of scale. 

CEO Guy Stallworthy, from the Gates Foundation, has been working with the program team to sharpen focus on reaching as many women as possible through screening and treatment campaigns, while continuing to train local health providers to foster long-term sustainability.

In the fiscal year ending September 30, Grounds for Health served more than twice as many women as the year before. In fact, the number of women screened increased by 125% – and treatment numbers jumped by nearly 200%. All told, in FY 2014-2015, program results include nearly 7,500 women screened, almost 1,000 women treated, and more than 300 health promoters trained.

With programs now in Ethiopia, Nicaragua and Peru – and an East Africa expansion on the horizon – Grounds for Health is poised to serve twice as many women around the world in 2016.

Social and economic sustainability investments can often take years to realize results. However, Grounds for Health programs creates a unique opportunity for the coffee community to have an immediate, tangible and long-term impact on the future of coffee-growing communities.

And because of a $75K match opportunity, there is no better time to support Grounds for Health. Thanks to a generous donor, all contributions received through January 15, 2016 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $75,000.

[Editor’s note: Women represent 70% of the labor burden on coffee farms – investing in their health is essential to coffee’s future. By donating before January 15, you’ll double your impact. Thank you!]

Photos: Grounds for Health

Pam Kahl is a senior marketing and communications executive with a unique mix of experience in technology, international development, health care, education, sustainability and specialty coffee.