Joy and laughter filled every corner of House of Hope (HoH) as children cancer patients showed a remarkable display of energy and enthusiasm during the recent Philhealth-DOH Run 2013 Turnover rites at Davao Children’s Cancer Fund Inc. (DCCFI) or Kids of Hope.
Marking the corporation’s 18th year in the annals of public service, Philhealth staged the simultaneous nationwide running event last February 17 in 20 cities in the country; Davao was among the key sites in Mindanao.
With over 5, 876 runners who amassed the successful event held in SM City Davao, more than P 1.4 million was generated. Fifty percent was given to the national beneficiaries while the other half – a total of P 721,557 was donated to DCCFI (Kids of Hope), as the then and now chosen regional beneficiary.
In the turnover ceremony on July 26, Philhealth Region 11, represented by Management Section Division chief Atty. Arneil Subibi, formally conferred upon the proceeds of the run to Kids of Hope Program Director Dr. Mae Concepcion Dolendo together with the children, their parents and staff.
Consistent with the run’s theme on mother and child care, Philhealth chose DCCFI as the run’s regional beneficiary to pursue an advocacy to alleviate the suffering caused by killer diseases such as cancer among the youth, especially the children.
“Kami sa Philhealth nagatuo nga walay bata nga angay mag-antos sulod saiyang pagkabata, mao kami nagapasalamat sa tanang nagsuporta sa Philhealth Run kung diin kita tanan nakatabang kanila. (We, in Philhealth, believe that no child should suffer during the early stage of his/her childhood that is why we are thankful for everyone’s support in helping them.)”, Atty. Subibi said in his remarks.
DCCFI was the same recipient during the first Philhealth sponsored Mindanao-wide Run in 2012. According to Dr. Dolendo, the proceeds from said event have gone a long way in increasing the survival rates of children by 50 % through subsidizing the cost of medicines, laboratory exams, chemotherapy, allowance and patient support, as well as improvement of treatment facilities, among others.
“It warms the heart. Philhealth run will always be one of the most memorable for us,” Dr. Dolendo said.
In the same statement, she expressed her deepest gratitude to Philhealth for its serious efforts in going over and above what is expected of them and recognized the program enhancement of Philheath Z benefits for members who suffer from catastrophic illnesses such as cancer and chronic heart diseases.
Meanwhile, the kids of hope rendered an action song towards the end of the program to express their own share of gratitude to the Philhealth staff and to everyone who tirelessly show support and care for them. [PAU-PRO 11/Kleah Dublin]
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