About
“Kids of Hope” is about children with cancer from Mindanao at Davao Medical Center and the people who care for them. Young as they are, these patients have exuded great courage in the battle against this terrible disease. They are all living proof that hope could spring even from the youngest hearts and can encourage greater strength to all.
Childhood Cancer in Mindanao
Mindanao is the second largest island in the Philippine archipelago. It has a population of 25 million people, 40% are children. Southern Philippines Medical Center is the largest tertiary public hospital in the island and the only facility which can deliver multidisciplinary care for children with cancer, especially the underprivileged. Many of these children have no access to this facility. Most of them remain undiagnosed and die without even seeing a physician.
Childhood cancer is a curable disease. In countries with better resources, children with cancer have 5 year survival rates of more than 70%, even 90% for diseases like acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Unfortunately, in countries like the Philippines where there are more children, survival rates are below 20% across the country. Although single institutions report higher figures and outcomes in private institutions have better outcomes, public hospitals remain to have dismal survival rates for childhood cancer.
Davao Medical Center Children’s Cancer Center and Blood Diseases Unit
The renovations is currently undergoing for a new 25 bed capacity unit for children with cancer and other blood diseases under the Southern Philippines Medical Center Department of Pediatrics. In 2004, the Unit was seeing about 80 new cases of cancer every year. In 2009, there were about 168 children diagnosed with cancer. Responsible for about 500 repeated admissions and 1200 outpatient visits every year. Half are diagnosed with leukemia and solid tumors compose the remaining cases. Majority of solid tumors have retinoblastoma.
A multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and support staff take care of the children. This is composed of a dedicated pediatric oncologist, 2 pediatric hematologists, pediatric surgeon, orthopedic surgeon and other subspecialists in Pediatrics, Surgery and other disciplines. It has six pediatric oncology nurses. Other support staff includes a child life coordinator from Kythe Foundation, SPMC social worker and admin staff comprising research assistants and data manager for its cancer registry.
The SPMC CCBDU is a partner site of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis TN, USA , National University Hospital, Singapore and World Child Cancer.
Davao Children’s Cancer Fund Inc
Established in February 2004 and SEC registered in April 2004, DCCFI is a non stock non profit charity organization that supports pediatric oncology patients at Davao Medical Center. Its mission vision is to bring hope, promote better survival rates and achieve excellent, holistic care for children with cancer through advocacy, research and environmental protection.
Founding Members: Dr Mae Dolendo, Dr Jeannie Ong, Dr Grace Pecson, Dr Michael Manalaysay, Dr Lily Yu, Dr Pelagio Iriarte, Ana Theresa Basilio, Fr Marcelo Pamintuan, Dr Odette Valderrama, Dr Jenny Mendiola-Banluta, Dr Renie Maguinsay.
The Pediatric Oncology Team
Pediatric and Surgical Team: Dr Mae Dolendo (oncologist), Dr Jeannie Ong Dr Grace Pecson (hematologists), Dr Neil Alegarbes (surgery), Dr Rex Penaranda (orthopaedic surgeon), Dr Edmundo Visitacion, Dr Gay Vergara (pathologists) and the various specialists from the different medical and surgical disciplines of Davao Medical Center.
Nursing Team: Ms Wella Badilles (team leader), Mr Chris Perin, Mr Jed Olavides, Mr Czarina Mae Castillo, Mr Michael Domingo, Ms Daphne Flores
Child Life Coordinator/Social Service: Ms Shiena Payno, Ms Feda Muyco
Data Manager: Mr Edson Beley, Ms Joy Peralta, Mr Mark Pascua
Admin/Research Assistant: Ms Annie Marie Pacilan , Ms Loranie Celmar
Partners for KIDSOFHOPE
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the largest and only U.S. National Cancer Institute-designed comprehensive childhood cancer center in the United States. The first successful cure for childhood ALL came from St. Jude and currently their cure rate for ALL is over 90%. St. Jude is a charity hospital, and one of its mission is to help improve the cure for childhood cancer worldwide through its International Outreach Program.
NUH University Children’s Cancer Center
A premier pediatric oncology center in Asia, NUH UCCC is a training hub for DMC doctors and nurses supported by the St Jude/NUH-Davao twinning project through the Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer and other charity organizations which support the St Jude dream that no child should die in the dawn of life.
World Child Cancer
World Child Cancer is an organization that supports children with cancer in low to middle income countries. It envisions a world where every child with cancer has access to the best possible treatment and care. World Child Cancer supports the Mindanao Pediatric Cancer Care Network which aims to establish satellite healthcare facilities in strategic areas in Mindanao, Philippines. These facilities will promote intermediate care for acutely ill patients; facilitate early detection; referral and follow up; eventually improving survival and cure for children with cancer.
Kythe Inc
If DCCFI is the science, Kythe Foundation is the art that completes the holistic care of children with cancer at Davao Medical Center. Its Child Life Program centers on the psychosocial aspect of caring for chronically ill children in the hospital. The activities include medical play to guide children through painful and traumatic procedures, celebrate life parties, daily ward activities and counselling.
Rotary Club of Waling Waling Davao
Awarded the Most Outstanding Rotary Club of District 3860 for many years, this group of dynamic women leaders has supported and advocated for children with cancer since 2004. Its major contribution to date is the House of Hope, a transient home for children with cancer which has made a significant impact in decreasing treatment abandonment and improving survival rates for childhood cancer in Mindanao in recent years. House of Hope was recognized as Outstanding Project by Rotary District 3860 in 2008 and remains a shining example of the excellent track record of this admirable group of women.
Individuals and Organizations
Community support is a crucial link in the significant milestones achieved by the Pediatric Oncology Team working towards improving the survival of children with cancer. Regular GOs and NGOs supporting this advocacy at DMC are the Department of Health, Lingap, PCSO, PAGCOR, Patches of Green, Konsturs, Rotary and Rotaract Clubs of Pag Asa, Rotary Club of South Davao, Rotary Club of East Davao, Davao Developers’ Association and many more.
As one wise woman once said, “It takes a village to cure a child with cancer”.
