I have many dreams, one is to help lift a weight the women carry - Lucila Cárdenas
In the vibrant coastal city of Barranquilla, Colombia, Lucila Cárdenas has found her calling not in a hospital ward, but in the homes and hearts of her community. As a nursing assistant with the Fundación Vida Nueva (FVN), she goes above and beyond to serve the women of her community.
Lucila’s journey began with a conversation and a vision. Working alongside Dr Humberto Mendoza Charris, she learned about his idea to create a foundation to diagnose gestational diabetes in women—a condition that was going undetected and untreated. “He became curious and started to take steps towards that,” Lucila recalls. When the foundation got the support, they began their search in Barranquilla, and Lucila was there from the very beginning.
“I have many dreams, one of which is to have something to help these women and help lift a weight they say they carry,” she shares.
For eleven years, Lucila has walked the streets of Barranquilla’s neighbourhoods, knocking on doors and entering homes. She knows the life stories of nearly every woman diagnosed with gestational diabetes in the district—their conflicts, struggles, emotions, and both happy and sad times.
Her approach goes beyond medical care. When she visits homes, she looks for telling signs of unhealthy lifestyles. But rather than simply instructing, Lucila leads by example. “I don’t stay out late, I don’t drink alcohol, I don’t lead a sedentary life. I like to walk. So, if they see that in me, I can tell them, ‘Let’s do this together’”.
Fighting for change
Lucila’s work extends beyond individual households to systemic change. When women told her they couldn’t exercise because there were no parks, she and her colleagues brought this message to decision-makers. The result? The parks that now dot Barranquilla’s neighborhoods are equipped with exercise machines for all ages.
What makes Lucila exceptional is her understanding that healthcare is deeply personal. The women in her program aren’t just patients—they’re like daughters to her.
“They’ve called in the middle of the night, and I get up and go help them anytime, because I feel like I need to be with them,” she explains.
After more than a decade of dedicated service, Lucila’s dream for Barranquilla is ambitious yet achievable: “I hope we reach a whole new level hand in hand, by walking towards a more advanced diabetes prevention. I hope we have fewer macrosomic babies, less alcohol and sugary drinks, and that my country and all of Colombia become number one in diabetes prevention.”
For Lucila, working with the Vida Nueva Foundation isn’t just a job. “The Vida Nueva Foundation is part of my life. It’s my heart. I carry it with me, and it’s the best experience I’ve had,” she shares with emotion.
Every day, Lucila puts on her shoes and walks into her community, motivated by a simple but powerful force: the belief that she can make a difference. Through her dedication, thousands of women like Sandra have learned to manage their health, protect their children’s futures, and break cycles of disease that have affected their families for generations.
Lucila Cárdenas works with Fundación Vida Nueva (FVN). Since 2011, FVN, with support from the World Diabetes Foundation, has been at the forefront of integrating NCD prevention—particularly targeting GDM—into maternal and child health services.
