The Davao Doctors Hospital has stepped up its campaign on cancer awareness by launching again the Christmas Tree of Hope as part of the celebration of its 2nd Christmas Day of Hope in partnership with DDH Balik-Alay Foundation to make the yuletide celebration more significant.
Corine Casia, Davao Doctors Hospital customer care officer said, that as one of the premier health care providers in the country, the DDH is not only taking the big leap of being an outstanding institution that offers quality medical services it is also committed to reaching out communities and touching lives of individuals who need assistance and support.
“One of its major programs is Ribbon of Hope Cancer awareness campaign aimed at raising awareness of the public about cancer through conduct of lay forum for various companies and communities. It also designed to create a cancer support group to patients and their families, eventually building a home for cancer patients who will be having their treatment here in Davao. The home will cater to cancer patients of all ages,” said Casia.
“This awareness activity encourages partner organizations and companies to put up a Christmas tree in their respective establishments,” she said.
Casia said that the campaign invites companies and organization to put up a Christmas tree in their respective offices or establishments that shall be decorated with ribbons that represent all types of cancer.
Companies who will participate in the activity will be given an opportunity to be visited by the ROH team including DDH oncologists for the free cancer awareness lay forum to share inputs and answer queries about cancer.
She added that to share inspiration to cancer patients, the Pin-A-Message is being initiated to encourage DDH community to write message or prayers in a heart shape card for cancer patient. Afterwards, it shall be posted in the huge heart exhibit at the DDH cancer center.
“Trees shall be adorned with ribbons representing twelve types of cancer. Each ribbon contains a message of hope or a prayer for cancer victims for example Pink ribbon for breast cancer patients, violet for all cancers, blue for bladder cancer gold for childhood cancer and white for cervical cancer” said Casia.
“Also to fulfill the campaign’s objective in building a shelter for cancer patients, the iPledge for ROH is being initiated to have an avenue to share monetary donation, aside from the donation boxes in the hospital,” she added.
According to Casia, the Christmas Tree of Hope was officially launched last November 16, 2016 with a lighting ceremony at the hospital’s driveway. Representatives from government sectors, partner institutions, and DDH management and staff witnessed the lighting ceremony.
“Through this, the celebration of the yuletide season will be more meaningful not only to support our brothers and sisters who battle with cancer, but also to be aware of the importance of knowing facts about cancer. This call of taking generous and genuine responsibility to the society will benefit not only the stakeholders of the community, but also to the whole nation in general,”
virus, however, the analysis found that in the longer term, more cases of severe disease could occur following vaccination upon a subsequent dengue infection.
A statement from the Department of Health Office of the Secretary that on November 29, the DOH received a preliminary briefing on update information on the dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, from Sanofi Pastuer. Based on the report, the dengue vaccine has shown consistent and sustained benefit for those who were previously infected with the dengue virus.
In the light of this new analysis, the DOH will place the dengue vaccination program on hold while review and consultation is going on with experts, key holders and the World Health Organization.
On the same information revealed that the vaccination is essential to the integrated approach in dengue prevention and control. Currently, there is no reported case of severe dengue infection among those who received the vaccine.
“The DOH assures the public that it is serious in carrying out its mandate to always guard the health and well-being of its constituents. Thus, it shall ensure that vaccine are always safe and effective to optimize its health benefits,” Heath Secretary Francisco T. Duque III was quoted to have said last Friday.
