Elvira Rodríguez discovered she was a carrier of Chagas disease while pregnant with her first child. Fearing for her baby’s future, she received treatment to prevent transmission. Fortunately, her daughter tested negative after birth.

In Mexico, Elvira Idalia Hernández Cuevas learned about Chagas when her 18-year-old son was diagnosed with it after a blood donation. She had never heard of the disease and struggled to find proper care. Chagas, caused by parasitic kissing bugs, is common in Latin America but also present in parts of North America, Europe, and Australia. These bugs spread the disease through bites and feces, which can be accidentally ingested.

Chagas affects around 8 million people in Latin America and 6-7 million globally. Left untreated, it can cause severe heart and gastrointestinal issues, leading to 12,000 deaths annually. Despite kissing bugs being present in the U.S., Chagas is not widespread there.