Harlingen, TX (KRGV) — The breast cancer journey is different for every woman.

It can be challenging beyond the treatments, and one Harlingen-based nonprofit is helping women in the fight to navigate that journey.

Rosa de Esperanza is helping women undergoing breast cancer treatments by providing care packages, wigs, shower chairs, and gift cards at no cost.

Rosa de Esperanza cofounder Rosalinda Cobarrubias, a breast cancer survivor, started the organization with her daughter after her own diagnosis in 2023. She had a double mastectomy and is now cancer-free.

Cobarrubias said her friends and family helped her during her treatment.

“They brought me things that I needed,” Cobarrubias said.

Cobarrubias wanted to help others while she recovered, so she and her daughter started Rosa de Esperanza "to help women in their journey through breast cancer, and to share my experience."

The group gives out care packages with a blanket, socks, a journal, and other items to help women during treatment. They also help women get wigs, shower chairs, and gift cards for groceries and gas.

Breast cancer survivor Maria Rosa Del Angel said the support made a difference.

“It was so hard. I don't have family, just my two kids, and I was wondering... what am I going to do? I'm the only one who supports the family,” Del Angel said.

Heather Smith, another breast cancer survivor, said the group helped her after her double mastectomy.

“When you undergo breast cancer surgery, it's an eight-hour long surgery,” Smith said. “You can't stand, you can barely walk, and you walked hunched over for several weeks. You need help with everything.”

The group also helps women get lift chairs. Smith said it gave her independence.

“It was independence,” Smith said. “I couldn't get a glass of water. I couldn't move for a month. Having this (chair) where I could press a button... it could lift me out to get a glass of water... it was amazing.”

Rosa de Esperanza provides these items at no cost, made possible by events like a recent fundraiser brunch that brought together doctors and the breast cancer community.

“This annual event is a way to connect and to bring forward new information for cancer because it changes every year,” Dr. Jessica Trevino-Jones said. “So not only is this event helping spread awareness and education... it's raising money that goes back to the community.”

Since Rosa de Esperanza began in 2023, the group has helped 40 women across the Rio Grande Valley. This year, they are offering individual and group counseling.

For more details or to get help, go to the Rosa de Esperanza website.

Watch the video above for the full story.