Hon. Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos, First Lady, Republic of Panama . Photo by Seeta T. Shaw Roath

With vast experience as a leader in advertising and publications in New York and Chicago, Panama’s first lady, Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos is leading community groups involved in the social welfare of youths, rural women, children with limited resources and the disabled. “The social agenda of the government of Panama is very important to the people, and my office is leading the social development programs,” said Mrs. Torrijos.

Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos has been very successful in the promotion of breast cancer awareness resulting in a large number of women who have lived without one breast for years, receiving new life after undergoing much-needed reconstruction surgery.

“In collaboration with the Oncology Hospital, the cancer hospital of Panama that serves not only Panama but the women of Latin America - they have excellent doctors and excellent equipment there - our group has used donations to purchase the prostheses for dozens of women and provided reconstruction surgery which is done free by the hospital.

“The women’s stories are absolutely amazing; for years they have been living without one breast, now they have new life, it means so much to them. It’s touching,” said the first lady.

Professional women in both the public and private sectors of Panama have joined in the worldwide campaign for promoting breast cancer awareness. The first lady was tasked to have all the icons in Panama dressed in pink but has taken the project further.

Together with the Ministry of Health, various professional groups, private sector organizations, private and public companies and government and non-government workers, she has led a countrywide campaign to address the needs of women who have cancer and to promote programs for early detection.

Professional women join in the campaign for promoting breast cancer awareness. Photo by Seeta T. Shaw Roath

“Statistics tell us that over 500 Panamanian women are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. We tell women that we cannot prevent cancer, but we can detect it early, so let’s do this by using all our available resources,” added Vivian Torrijos.

More that ten years ago, Vivian Torrijos worked with disabled people, actively participating in groups that strive to stop discrimination and prejudice against 280, 000 disabled Panamanians.

When Vivian became first lady of the Republic of Panama in May 2004, her first task was to create the National Secretary’s Office for the Social Integration of Handicapped People. Almost immediately, she developed a population awareness campaign under the slogan “Include.”

Vivian Fernandez de Torrijos received the Distinguished Public Service Award during the fourth annual George Washington Cancer Institute Gala in Washington D.C., last April, 14.

The gala raised money for a media campaign, promoting prostate, breast and colorectal cancer awareness and treatment. The Cancer Institute, an affiliate of the George Washington Hospital and the George Washington Medical Faculty Associates, aims to bring preventative programs, outstanding patient care, advanced research and education to the D.C. community.

Born in Panama in 1966, Vivian Torrijos began her college education at Florida State University and Nova University where she graduated with a business degree. As a professional advertising executive, she held the position of vice president at advertising agencies in Chicago and New York. As a politician supporting her husband, she has worked with the people of Panama on a number of community projects, receiving community and international awards.