House of Hope Official publication of Davao Children’s Cancer Fund, Inc. Issue 1 • January -February 2013

Survivors Day 2012 Brings Joy to 158 Children One hundred thirty-two survivors and child cancer patients came to Survivors Day last December 8, 2012. The annual Thanksgiving and Christmas Party for children with cancer was held at the SPMC Healing Garden and Tree Park. More than 300 caregivers and advocates gathered at 4:00pm to celebrate with the children. The entertainment was provided by popular magician James Infiesto and games hosted by clowns. A short program followed which included tributes given by child patients to their parents and healthcare givers. Students from the North Point College of Arts and Technology Health Services Course guided the children through their special numbers which was well appreciated by the audience. Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte came to give his Christmas wishes to the children and their families as well as individual and group advocates who sponsored gifts for the children. Twenty six patients admitted at the CCBDU ward also received gifts from VMR Duterte. Now on its 5th year, Survivors Day was first organized on December 8, 2007 to bring together children who have completed treatment for cancer in order to inspire and give hope to children newly diagnosed and undergoing cancer treatment and their families. The first Survivors Day celebration included 10 children and 25 parents, siblings and caregivers. Survivors Day 2012 was organized by the Ambassadors of Hope for Children with Cancer, the DCCFI Parent Support Group in cooperation with Kythe, Poeng Yue Foundation and other various benefactors.

Image credit: Rotaract Club of Munting Pag-Asa Davao. RACMPD story

on page 3

Welcome to the maiden issue of House of Hope, a bimonthly publication

featuring news and developments about the Kids of Hope. It is also a

venue for all of us to learn about the many

facets of childhood cancer, treatment, and

survivorship issues.

More information on Kids of Hope can be

found at www.kidsofhope.org

Palliative Care Facility Launched at SPMC

The SPMC Palliative and Inpatient Hospice Care Unit was inaugurated last November 8, 2012 with Fr Meng Barawid officiating the Blessing Ceremonies. SPMC Chief of Hospital Leopoldo Vega and Rotary Club Waling-Waling Davao President Cheryl Leilani Gomez led the ribbon cutting rites together with representatives from the Department of Family Medicine and Pediatrics. The facility has two beds dedicated for pediatric and four beds for adult patients located at the 2nd floor of the SPMC Main Building. It is designed to accommodate patients and families needing supportive care regardless of clinical spectrum. It is a core unit where palliative care specialist services can be rendered in collaboration with other healthcare providers. Patients with cancer and other diseases that prefer to be treated at the end of their lives in a hospital rather than at home can access medical and psychosocial interventions to patients and families at the facility. Acute hospital care and control of emergent symptoms will be provided in a wholesome and supportive environment aimed to provide comfort. Cancer is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the country and patients often consult at advanced stages of disease. Indigent patients and their families are often left to suffer in silence during this difficult stage because investments are relatively small in this area. The SPMC In-Patient Palliative Care Unit is the first such facility in Southern Philippines. It will respond to the crucial need for hospice and palliative care services particularly cancer. Dr Rojim Sorrosa heads the SPMC Department of Family Medicine – Palliative Care Section and other team members include Dr Aurea Lanaban (Fellow in Training), Family Medicine Resident Rotator and CCBDU Nurse Michael Domingo. The Palliative Care Facility renovation is supported by funds from the Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao.

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Ambassador Minda Cruz Inducts Child Cancer Parent

Support Group

The Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Honorable Minda Cruz inducted the Charter Officers and Members of the DCCFI Parent Support Group in ceremonies held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao last August 17, 2012. Motivated by the a staunch advocacy of Ambassador Cruz for children with cancer and the goal of inspiring hope, the group was called Ambassadors of Hope for Children with Cancer.

The following were elected officers: Chief Ambassador: Zosimo Co, Asst Chief: Nick Camporedondo, Secretary: Noel Galupar, Asst. Secretary: Maryvelle Galupar, Auditor: Ma Christita Do and PRO: Joanna Co. The Charter members included: Poni Do, Jerry Paghid, Perla Rosareal and Emma Cabudoy. Dr Mae Dolendo, Dr Rojim Sorrosa, Edson Beley and Arlene Paredes serve as advisers to the parent support group. They were first organized on July 14, 2012 in a meeting held at Bistro Rosario, Torres St in Davao City. A team building activity was also organized at Malagos Gardens Resort in Toril, Davao City last September 9, 2012 to brainstorm on the organization vision mission, objectives and forthcoming activities. The Ambassadors of Hope is a family support group composed of parents of children with cancer and advocates. It aims to provide psychosocial support for parents and families with children afflicted with cancer; to bring hope and better understanding of child cancer through education and to empower parents and

families in their fight against cancer. The Young Ambassadors of Hope for Children with Cancer were likewise inducted during the event. The group was composed of Lanzi Borromeo, Denise Dolendo, Maurice Bacaling and Floresces Logronio. This is a youth support group for child cancer which aims to advocate for child cancer patients

through hope, awareness and better understanding of child cancer. The Young Ambassadors will organize psychosocial activities for children and adolescents with cancer.

Pediatric Surgery Fellowship Training Accredited at SPMC The first Pediatric Surgery Training accredited outside of Manila is at Southern Philippines Medical Center. The accreditation team from the Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgery (PSPS) conducted their first assessment of the training program last August 2012. A succeeding visit by the PSPS was done last October 2012 and confirmed the accreditation of the training program. The SPMC Pediatric Surgery Section is composed of Section Head: Dr Santiago Aquino Jr; Training Officer Dr Jose Matilac Jr; and Consultants Dr Neil Alegarbes, Dr Neila Ferolin Batucan. Dr Ryan Lonzaga (left) is the first Pediatric Surgery Fellow in Training.

The training program is welcome news for pediatric oncology patients because it facilitates prompt response to referrals by the Fellow in Training; closely supervised surgeries and participation in multidisciplinary meetings and CCBDU activities.

New Retinal Camera for RBCenter @ SPMC The Retinoblastoma Center at SPMC inaugurated last August 17, 2012 by Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Minda C. Cruz, has acquired a retinal camera (right) for children with retinoblastoma. The donation was made possible through an anonymous

donor through VIVA Foundation and the Davao Children’s Cancer Fund Inc. The retinal camera will allow pictures to be taken inside the eye to document the retinal tumors and facilitate referrals to international experts in retinoblastoma.

The Philippines is among the top five countries in the world with the highest incidence of retinoblastoma. Majority of these children come in late stages of disease which is unfortunate since retinoblastoma is a childhood tumor that is highly curable when detected early. To address this problem, the Khoo Teck Puat Children’s Medical Institute Outreach Project was implemented in 2011 to reduce the incidence of late diagnosis of RB in Davao City and key areas in Mindanao; facilitate early diagnosis through an established referral system; comprehensive RB database and develop a patient-centered multidisciplinary RB service at SPMC.

SPMC-CCBDU conducts a monthly Cure4kids teleconference with experts at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, TN, USA; Dana Farber Cancer Institute, MA, USA and National University Hospital, Singapore. Images obtained by the retinal camera are used during the clinical discussions. This is the only other retinal camera in the country, the other being at East Avenue Medical Center, Quezon City.

A multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, and support staff manage retinoblastoma patients at SPMC Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit.

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Cover Story

RACMPD Holds Art Exhibit for Kids of Hope

The Rotaract Club of Munting PagAsa Davao (RACMPD) conducted an Art Exhibit entitled “Give Your Love, Color Their World” last December 8-9, 2012 at the Abreeza Mall, Bajada Davao City. The charity event was for the benefit of children with cancer at Southern Philippines Medical Center and in celebration of Survivors’ Day. The artworks on display were products of the RACMPD 11th Charter Anniversary Art Therapy Project for the children which started in January 2011 at House of Hope. Other works on display were donated by local Davao artists who supported the event. Apart from the Art exhibit, information education posters were mounted to promote public awareness on child cancer, Rotary and Rotaract Clubs. Dr Mae Dolendo opened the exhibits with child cancer and blood diseases patients in simple ceremonies last December 8, 2012. She thanked the sponsors of the activity and encouraged the public to support the activity. She also updated the audience on the current projects undertaken to improve the care of child cancer in Mindanao. The Rotaract Club of Munting PagAsa Davao and the Rotary Club of PagAsa Davao are staunch advocates for Kids of Hope and Kythe, Inc since 2004. RACMPD developed the Activity Center at the SPMC Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit and provided the facility with child-friendly murals, toys, books and furniture. Pres Rochelle Medrano and Pres Ma Imelda Bautista lead this Rotary year’s RACMPD and Rotary Club of PagAsa Davao, respectively.

Dr Perfecto Domingo, Retina Specialist

Opthalmology team with Ambassador Minda Cruz

Milestones in 2012 January 8

18-22 Davao Regional Hospital Radiotherapy Center Inauguration National Cancer Awareness Week

February 5 15 29

PhilHealth Mindanao Run for Hope International Childhood Cancer Day St Jude Asia Preforum, NUH, Singapore

March 2-4 St Jude Asia Forum, Singapore

April 1-30 10-14 10 21-24 24

Child Cancer Consciousness Month Philippine Pediatric Society Annual Convention Dr Mae Dolendo—Dr Fe del Mundo Award: Outstanding Pediatrician in Community Service SIOP Asia, Yogyakarta, Indonesia Association of Southeast Asia Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Group Inaugural Meeting, Sheraton Mustika, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

May 14-17 World Child Cancer — Cassandra Scott Hayward, Matterhorne Pte Ltd

June 5-6 27 28-29 29

Dept of Health Natl Center for Pharmaceutical Access and Management Meeting, Bayview Hotel, Manila Khoo Teck Puat- CMI Outreach Project: Dr Ana Patricia Alcasabas Retinoblastoma Symposium, General Santos City Kythe Partners Forum, Asia Institute of Management Bldg,, Makati

July 14 Ambassadors of Hope for Children with Cancer Inaugural Meeting, Bistro Rosario, Torres St. Davao City

August 3 4-30 6 9 17 30

Thank God It’s Friday at Hope (TGIF) First Sponsored Dinner — Host: Papa Ching’s Restaurant Nurse Leader Chris Perin International Outreach Program Fellowship at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, TN, USA Khoo Teck Puat- CMI Outreach Project: Dr Gary Mercado House of Hope Anniversary: MOA Signing for Palliative Care Facility and HoH Agreement Renewal, Grand Men Seng Hotel, Davao City

Dr Leopoldo Vega, SPMC Chief of Hospital Pres Cheryl Leilani Gomez, Rotary Club of Waling-Waling Davao Dr Mae Dolendo, DCCFI Representative

Launching of Retinoblastoma Center Guest of Honor: Ambassador Minda Calaguian Cruz Induction of Parent Support Group & Ambassadors of Hope for Children with Cancer, Waterfront Hotel, Lanang, Davao City Department of Health ALL National Steering Committee Meeting, Traders Hotel, Manila

September 2-4 Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion Annual Congress, Crowne Plaza Manila Galleria

October 2-3 3 5-8 20 26-27 29

One Retinoblastoma World Symposium World Child Cancer Brainstorming Session on Twinning Pediatric Oncology in Developing Countries International Society of Pediatric Oncology Congress, London Boston Children’s Hospital : Dr Michele Nassin Annual Philippine Society of Pediatric Oncology Convention, Best Western Hotel, Iloilo City White Rose Day, SPMC OPCC-JICA Mahogany Room Guest Speaker: Fr. Meng Barawid

November 8 16-30 24

Launching of SPMC Palliative Care and InPatient Hospice Unit Facility Infectious Disease Consultant Delta Aguilar International Outreach Fellowship — St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, TN, USA Christmas in November — CCBDU and MPCCN Staff, Waterfront Hotel, Lanang, Davao City

December

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7 8

Department of Health ALL-MAP Site Assessment Visit Survivors Day 2012

Davao’s Pediatrist Remembered By Ivy C. Tejano Published in Sun.Star Davao on January 01, 2013 Monday, December 31, 2012. DOCTOR Pelagio V. Iriarte Jr. M.D.*, one of the Davao City’s pediatrists and oncologist, passed away on Saturday due to lung cancer. He was a pediatric health columnist of Sun.Star Davao before he took a leave for his treatment. A simple liturgical mass was held on Monday before his remains were buried at the Davao Memorial Park in Matina at 2 p.m. Pelagio, who died at the age of 78, is best remembered by his family and relatives, colleagues, and friends as a simple man with integrity and good heart for everyone. Christine C. Iriarte, a daughter-in-law, in an interview, said Pelagio as father-in-law, father, husband and grandfather to his family, who have raised the standard of his profession to the highest level, have made them proud. "I am really proud to say that he has been one of the pillars of this city’s pediatrics who always look after the welfare of the people although we have been separated because we live in Toronto while the others were in Virginia, he’s been always a dad to us and grandfather to his grandchildren," Christine said. She remembers her father-in-law most because of his constant reminder to them to remain humble. “When you practice humility, you can never be wrong,” he would often tell them. Christine said it was just in December 5 when they knew about his health condition.

"It's sad. We were shocked. Kasi nakausap pa namin si Dad on December 3 over the phone and we expected that he’s fine, but yun pala he was already bedridden in a hospital. Until at the very end, Dad would never want to hurt us," she said. Pelagio as a doctor and columnist — Christine said she may not know everything about her father’s career but one thing she can be sure of, her father was a very responsible man. ______________________________

*Dr Pelagio Iriarte Jr is a Founding Member of the Davao Children's Cancer Fund Inc.

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DR FE DEL MUNDO AWARDEE

The

PHILIPPINE PEDIATRIC SOCIETY, INC

through the

COMMITTEE ON AWARDS

confers the

OUTSTANDING PEDIATRICIAN COMMUNITY SERVICE

(Dr Fe del Mundo Award)

to

MAE CONCEPCION J. DOLENDO, MD

For her indefatigable efforts in improving the plight of children with cancer in

Mindanao that led to better care, facilities and survival for this children as she initiated the first transient home for children with cancer at Southern Philippines Medical Center

For being the Founding President of Davao Children’s Cancer Fund Inc, a non-stock, non-

profit organization which established local and international partnerships The Southeast Asia Partner Site of St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Davao, and the Mindanao Pediatric

Cancer Care Network supported by World Child Cancer.

For her strong advocacy projects such as the Early Child Cancer and Retinoblastoma Detection Campaigns as well as her passion to improve the plight of children with cancer in countries with

limited resources as she helped organize the first Pediatric Oncology Forum in Singapore.

For her outstanding active participation in PPS Davao Southern Mindanao Chapter activities being chair of Committee on Research which earned the chapter the Distinction of

Outstanding Chapter in Research for three straight years under her leadership; and spearheading the first Pediatric In-Service Examination for all training hospitals under PPS-DSMC last December 2011; being multi-awarded medical professional and social mobilizer.

Given this 10th day of April, 2012 at the Sofitel Plaza during the 49th Annual Convention of the

Philippine Pediatric Society Inc.

Signed ZENAIDA L. ANTONIO, MD MILAGROS S. BAUTISTA, MD GENESIS C. RIVERA,MD Chair, Committee on Awards Secretary, PPS Inc President, PPS Inc

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House of Hope Star Graces Manila Bulletin Christmas Day Issue

DCCFI advocate photographer Shem Longakit’s pictures were chosen by Manila Bulletin for its Picture Perfect Segment on Christmas Day, December 25, 2012. Central to the spread was the winning House of Hope star lantern fashioned by HoH parents from indigenous and local materials. Every year, families at HoH join the lantern making contest conducted by DCCFI. Every room at HoH has an entry which is judged according to creativity, resourcefulness, originality and relevance to the theme. Four families from room 3 won this year’s contest. The prize included one sack of rice and 1000 worth of groceries for the winning entry and 500pesos in cash for the rest of the participants.

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Patient-Centered Multidisciplinary Team at SPMC CCBDU

The SPMC Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit facility of the Department of Pediatrics is complemented by a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and support staff. The team is composed of Mae Dolendo, MD (Pediatric Oncologist), Grace Pecson, MD (Pediatric Hematologist), Jeannie Ong, MD (Pediatric Hematologist—on leave); Neil Alegarbes MD (Pediatric Surgeon), Ryan Lonzaga MD (Pediatric Surgery Fellow in Training); Rex Penaranda, MD (Orthopedic Surgeon); Ma Luisa Aportadera, MD (Rehabilitation Medicine); Delta Aguilar, MD (Infectious Disease); and Rojim Sorrosa, MD (Palliative Care), Aurea Lanaban, MD (Palliative Care Fellow in Training). Pediatric oncology patients are likewise referred to various pediatrics subspecialties as necessary. Dr Michael Manalaysay chairs the SPMC Department of Pediatrics. Senior Nurse Chris Perin leads the pediatric oncology nurses including sections headed by Czarina Mae Deluao, RN (Infectioun Prevention); Jed Olavides, RN (Training) and Michael Domingo, RN (Palliative Care). The Child Life Program is run by Shiena Payno Orcullo of Kythe Inc; while Noreen Nique takes care of the patients’ physical therapy needs. The team is supported by the Data Management Team headed by Edson Beley and Joy Peralta; while administrative assistance is provided by DCCFI Head of Operations Arlene Paredes aided by Annie Marie Ong, Loranie Celmar and Arthur Virtucio.

SPMC CCBDU multidisciplinary team

WWEE ’’RERE OONLINENLINE !!

Kids of Hope are the children who stay at House of Hope (HoH) and the Children’s Cancer and Blood Diseases Unit at Southern Philippines Medical Center. They are the beneficiaries of all initiatives by Davao Children’s Cancer Fund Inc (DCCFI). The Kids of Hope website is supported by a grant from World Child Cancer

Upcoming Events

National Cancer Consciousness Week, January 13-20, 2013

Jan 13, 2013 Child Cancer Information Campaign Speaker: Dr Mae Dolendo

Venue: DXAB ABS CBN Cmpd, Shrine Hills Time: 2:00-4:00pm

Jan 14, 2013 PIA Press Conference Kidsofhope.org website launching Guests: Dr Chita Matunog & Dr Mae Dolendo Venue: SM Echoland, Davao City Time: 10:30am

Jan 14-18, 2013 Cancer Information Exhibit OPCC – JICA Bldg Lobby

Jan 20, 2013 Cancer in Adults Awareness Campaign Speaker: Dr Chita Matunog

Venue: DXAB ABS CBN Cmpd, Shrine Hills Time: 2:00-4:00 pm

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