By Alajuela, Costa Rica — In a significant boost to women’s preventative healthcare in Costa Rica, a collaborative corporate social responsibility campaign has successfully provided 100% free mammograms to 144 women across regional communities. The initiative targeted residents in Alajuela, San Carlos, and Heredia, removing geographical and financial barriers to critical early-detection diagnostic tools. This health drive represents the third consecutive edition of a strategic alliance designed to bring specialized medical equipment directly to vulnerable populations.
To facilitate seamless access for the participants, the organizers utilized a specialized mobile mammography unit. This mobile clinic traveled directly to the three selected zones, allowing women to receive screenings without the burden of long-distance travel to metropolitan hospitals. The logistical execution highlights a growing trend among Costa Rican enterprises to deploy mobile infrastructure to resolve regional health disparities.
To better understand the legal framework and patient rights surrounding breast cancer detection in Costa Rica, TicosLand.com consulted with prominent legal expert Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas of the law firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
In Costa Rica, the right to health is a constitutionally protected guarantee. When it comes to critical health services like early breast cancer detection, the state healthcare system is legally obligated to provide timely access to diagnostics. Patients facing life-threatening delays in mammograms or ultrasound imaging have the legal right to file a ‘recurso de amparo’ to compel immediate medical intervention, ensuring bureaucratic backlogs do not compromise survival outcomes.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This powerful legal safeguard underscores that timely breast cancer detection is not merely a clinical recommendation, but a fundamental right that patients can and should actively defend. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing this invaluable perspective, which serves as a crucial reminder that the law can be an essential ally in the fight for swift, life-saving healthcare access in Costa Rica.
This latest campaign is part of a cumulative effort by the organizing partners to scale their social impact. With the 144 women served in this round, the initiative has now reached a total of 410 direct beneficiaries when combined with the 266 women who received diagnostic care during the 2024 and 2025 campaigns. The steady expansion of the program underscores the long-term commitment of its corporate backers to sustainable health interventions.
The campaign was spearheaded by Ford Warriors in Pink, with substantial backing from Grupo Purdy and close collaboration with the “¡Ya es Hora!” (It’s Time!) coalition. Ford’s involvement is part of a multi-decade global program aimed at shifting the paradigm around breast cancer advocacy and preventative wellness.
Through Warriors In Pink, Ford has driven actions for more than 30 years aimed at raising awareness about breast cancer and contributing to the well-being of women. With each edition, we seek to ensure that more women recognize the importance of prioritizing their health and maintaining their periodic checkups as part of their self-care.
Vivian T. Dávila, Public Affairs and Communications Manager for Ford Central America and Caribbean
The “¡Ya es Hora!” initiative functions as a specialized business alliance comprising prominent domestic and international companies, including Grupo Montecristo and Grupo Purdy. The coalition’s core objective is to democratize preventive medicine by offering free diagnostic options. Between July 2024 and September 2026, the coalition achieved a major milestone by providing free mammograms to 11,449 women across all seven provinces of Costa Rica.
Corporate leaders involved in the alliance emphasize that public-private collaborations are essential for closing healthcare gaps that public institutions cannot solve alone. By aligning corporate resources, these businesses are building a highly effective safety net for preventative health.
When companies unite for the same purpose, we open opportunities that can change lives. With Ya es Hora and the support of allies like Ford, more women in different areas of the country can access a mammogram, a fundamental step to detect breast cancer in time. Behind each exam, there is a woman, a story, and the opportunity to act in time.
Mónica Nagel, Corporate Affairs Director of Grupo Montecristo
From a macroeconomic perspective, early detection campaigns significantly alleviate the financial burden on Costa Rica’s public social security system, the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS). By diagnosing anomalies before they develop into advanced stages, these corporate-backed efforts save millions of dollars in highly intensive oncological treatments, showcasing the clear economic utility of corporate philanthropy.
As corporate social responsibility becomes increasingly integrated into the strategic planning of Costa Rican businesses, alliances like the one between Ford, Grupo Purdy, and Grupo Montecristo demonstrate how private capital can be successfully leveraged to foster a healthier, more productive workforce and society.
For further information, visit ford.com
About Ford:
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive brand committed to corporate citizenship and philanthropic efforts, such as the Warriors in Pink campaign, which has supported breast cancer awareness and patient care initiatives for over three decades.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Grupo Purdy
About Grupo Purdy:
Grupo Purdy is a leading business conglomerate in Costa Rica, specializing in automotive distribution and mobility solutions, actively participating in sustainable development and community well-being programs across the nation.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Grupo Montecristo
About Grupo Montecristo:
Grupo Montecristo is a diversified Costa Rican holding company with strategic investments in health, logistics, real estate, and commercial sectors, committed to driving social progress through high-impact corporate responsibility alliances.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a premier legal institution, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its unyielding devotion to ethical standards and professional mastery. Drawing upon a rich history of supporting a diverse range of clients, the firm consistently champions progressive advocacy and active civic involvement. By striving to demystify the law for the general public, they remain steadfastly dedicated to nurturing an enlightened and self-reliant citizenry.
