A New Year Delayed

 
 

By Lisa Tealer
Executive Director, BACHAC; Co-Lead, Umoja Health San Mateo County

I had every intention of getting this blog written and posted by mid-January, to wish everyone a Happy New Year. Well, it’s a bit late to do that now. However, a raging threat was bestowed upon us in December, in fact the whole world, The Surge of Omicron. A seemingly invisible force with powers to transmit a devastating blow with a single droplet. It sounds like a title and description of a ‘B’ rated action movie. However, this isn’t fiction, this is real.

Real lives changed and lives lost, and yet a small glimmer of hope has emerged from the storm of the surge. People with various backgrounds, life experiences, skills and talents all working together to inform, educate, test and vaccinate our community. A BIG shout out to the many people who did whatever it took to protect our communities, especially our underserved and often forgotten members these past two years.

In 2021, together with others, BACHAC: 

  • Assisted 300+ uninsured women receive free mammograms in San Mateo County

  • Assisted 3000+ individuals and families received free COVID Testing

  • Launched two Umoja Health collaborations (South & North County) to coordinate vaccine clinics, testing and other vital resources and services 

  • Supported 90+ Vaccine Clinics and helped 30K+ individuals get vaccinated

  • Distributed 27k+ PPE Goodie Bags (Mask and Sanitizer)

  • Launched a Youth Peer Health Leadership Program at El Camino High School in South San Francisco

  • Organized 9 Wellness Where You Areas Sessions on topics including Mental Wellness, Breast Health & Cancer, TLC for Caregivers and signature programs Off To A Good Start, a physical and nutrition program and a Mini Men’s Health Symposium to name a few.

In 2022, together with others, BACHAC will:

  • Continue to ensure uninsured women receive free mammograms

  • Continue to ensure COVID testing is available to individuals and families

  • Expand our reach and impact with Umoja Health collaborations

  • Support Vaccines Clinics and help more individuals get vaccinated

  • Enhance our Youth Peer Health Leadership program

  • Organize Wellness where You Are Sessions with a focus on both physical and mental health

  • Continue to offer our signature programs, Off To A Good Start, The Men’s Health Symposium and our biggest event, The Soul Stroll for Health, which continues to be a Movement, a continuum of health access, equity and justice for all. (For more information on joining Soul Stroll for Health -The Movement go to www.bachac.org) and more!


    As I have mentioned before, the voice of my grandmother often comes to me in my darkest hour, ‘Baby now that you’ve a good cry and complained about why it happened, what are you going to do about it?’ Well, Grandmommie, I plan to remain steadfast in the fight with an army of BACHAC team members, volunteers, colleagues, funders, Umoja Health partners and anyone else who wants to join the battle. Although many of us are weary, we’ll dust ourselves off, take a breath (with a mask on) and reload our weapons of mass information, masks, vaccine, test kits and whatever else we need to keep our communities safe and healthy, so COVID-19 and your sidekick Health Disparity look out because another surge is coming and this time it’s coming after you!!

Jennifer Donahue