Christmas at DMC

My daughter Janice and I were privileged to enjoy a unique Christmas Party at the Davao Medical Center on December 19. The party was organized by Kythe Foundation workers, Xai and Shiena, with some assistance from some organizations and individuals.

Of course, everyone expects a Christmas party to consist of gifts, lots of food and of course lots of fun. There was an abundance of all these, and more.

Initially, the party was planned for pediatric patients (and their parents). But the sufficient donations enabled the organizers to expand the participation to patients in other wards (in fact to three floors).

The party started by giving gifts to pediatric patients in the third floor, then feeding them and their parents with lugaw, ice cream, cotton candy and juice. Janice and I were privileged to serve juice to a long queue of kids and their parents.

With sufficient supply of food and juice, the party overflowed to other charity wards in the second and then the first floor. A sizable number of patients, their "bantay" and hospital workers partook of the party food amidst laughters, smiles and bantering so characteristic of the season's meaning of love and giving.

(I will post pictures as soon as I have the files with me)

Survivors Day at DMC

For the past few years, a day was set aside to celebrate life with pediatric cancer patients at the Davao Medical Center. The day, called Survivors' Day, was done on December 8, 2008. Pediatric cancer survivors gathered for a party, games, food and capped by a mini-concert in the evening. There was a pictorial exhibit intended to heighten awareness on cancer and obtain support to the cancer-related programs of the hospital.

We were privileged to be part of the celebration in our own simple way. It was a joy to see how survivors bonded with each other and how parents, medical workers, groups and individuals join hands to do whatever they can to alleviate the plight of cancer patients.

Obviously, the hospital administration threw its very strong support to the team of pediatric cancer doctors (Drs. Mae Dolendo, Jeannie Ong and Grace Pecson) and other medical workers. Kythe, a private foundation, has a couple of ladies assigned to provide organized care-work. A number of civic organizations and individuals had always been ready to lend never fail to lend support.