Mar 19, 2009 10:04 pm US/Eastern
Local Doctors Willing To Help Patients For Free
The offer is open to uninsured or unemployed women.
Other Resources Are Available
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
As the number of layoffs rise, so does the number of South Floridians who are losing their medical insurance. It's forced some people to skip important medical screenings and procedures, but one doctor is creating a movement to offer free help to those in need.
As an experienced Pilates instructor Celia Maluf knows the importance of keeping her body healthy. She goes to her doctor every year for mammograms, but this time it just didn't seem possible.
"Since last year, two of the places where I worked, they closed," said Maluf. "I couldn't possibly make ends meet and certainly I cannot afford insurance right now," Maluf told
CBS4 News Reporter Natalia Zea.
She told her doctor, Dr. Nilza Kallos, that she would have to skip her mammogram this year, but Dr. Kallos wasn't having it, telling Celia to come in free of charge. Maluf took her up on the offer, and had her mammogram showing she is cancer-free, but not every woman has her good health.
Dr. Kallos says, "Some women the cancer is there, it can grow and when she comes back when finds a job it may be too late."
That's why Dr. Kallos is now offering free breast screenings and mammograms to every patient who needs them.
"No woman should die because they do not have insurance and they cannot afford a mammogram," she said.
Dr. Kallos isn't letting the goodwill stay locked up inside her office. She's calling on every doctor, dentist and surgeon across South Florida to step up and do their part. The doctor inspired plastic surgeon Dr. Alan Serure to start doing free breast implants for women who've had a mastectomy.
"When I saw that she was stepping up and doing this, I emailed her between surgeries today and said count me in," said Dr. Serure.
These generous offers have shown Maluf that the worst times can bring out the best in people. "For moments like this it's a positive, it gives you hope," she said.
Dr. Kallos says if you really need help, you should let your doctor or dentist know. Not everyone will work for free, but many health care providers are willing to give discounts and set up special payment plans.
Kallos's office is at the Breast Health Center and Diagnostics Ultrasound located at 6280 Sunset Dr, South Miami. For more information or to make an appointment, call 305-665-2223.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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