The Philippine Online Chronicles

Some people, after having survived tough times, move on without looking back. Other people, on the other hand, are transformed by tough times and move on by making sure others need not suffer the way they did. Such is the story behind Cancer Warriors Foundation, Inc. (CWFI).

CWFI is the fulfilment of a cancer survivor’s promise. Established in May 2000 by Mr. James Auste who survived a rare form of brain cancer, CWFI works with a dream to beat cancer through the following F.I.G.H.T. strategies:

• Facilitate increased awareness and understanding of childhood cancers, with emphasis on early detection, proper management and care;
• Initiate programs and activities that will inspire cancer patients, survivors and their families;
• Generate support and proactive involvement from various sectors in the information, education and communication (IEC) and advocacy on childhood cancers;
• Help ensure that impoverished children with cancer will have access to timely diagnosis, proper treatment and quality care; and
• Take the lead in building and strengthening linkages.

Free leukemia medications

CWFI, which celebrates its 10^th anniversary this year, is currently directly helping 100-plus kids with cancer all over the country. According to Auste, CWFI has partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) which resulted in free medications for kids with leukemia in 14 government hospitals across the Philippines.  These hospitals are:

1. East Avenue Medical Center

2. Philippine Childrens Medical Center

3. Philippine Orthopedic Hospital

4. Batangas Regional Hospital

5. Region 1 Medical Center--Pangasinan

6. Baguio General Hospital

7. Mariano Marcos Medical Center, Batac, Ilocos Norte

8. Ilocos Training Hospital, La Union

9. Jose Lingad Hospital, San Fernando, Pampanga

10. Northern Mindanao Medical Center--Cagayan de Oro

11. Davao Medical Center

12. Zamboanga Medical Center

13. Western Visayas Medical Center

14. Western Visayas Regional Hospital

Auste passionately appeals for people to report incidences where the medications for leukemia patients in the hospitals mentioned above were not given for free. He really wants to monitor this project’s implementation, given the years it took to make it happen.

The challenges to combating childhood cancer

Asked what challenges CWFI faces in helping kids with cancer and their families, Auste cited many factors: lack of funds; high cost of drugs, medical procedures and equipment; lack of resources; insufficient parental support; unjust policies in hospitals; ineffective laws related to health care; and not enough celebrity spokespersons for cancer.

Auste was also very vocal about the need for more competent and experienced doctors in hospitals, especially in the provinces, and more affordable medicines and treatment procedures for children with cancer.

Lack of information, funds, and resources are the top reasons why he thinks the country’s battle with childhood cancer is progressing very slowly. But he does appreciate all the help they’re getting.

One recent heart-warming story he shared is that of a girl named Emma, an Australian leukemia survivor studying at the British International School. The girl supposedly stood up in front of her class saying, “I want to help kids like me!” With the help of her mother, they initiated a Bandana Day and targeted to come up with P50,000 in donations for CWFI kids. They were able to raise over P190,000.

Two things we can learn from Emma’s story: First, childhood cancer is curable once detected early and treated properly; and second, anybody can help, and there are a lot of people who have been touched by cancer already and who know how vital funding and a great support system can be.

Other CWFI activities we can help with

CWFI organizes at least one activity per month for children with cancer, to entertain them with the help of volunteers and companies. Every Christmas, they give Noche Buena baskets to families and try to grant their wards’ wishes, which makes monetary donations most welcome.

Funding will help their foundation increase the number of children in their care. CWFI also has sponsor-a-child mechanisms (P5,000 a month which an individual or a group of people can commit to) and other projects  such as scholarship grants and micro-financing for the families that would greatly benefit from a steady stream of contributions. CWFI also hopes to tap diaspora philanthropy from Filipinos working abroad.

Part of CWFI’s work is cancer education. In collaboration with and through the funding of the International Union Against Cancer, CWFI has been working to empower Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) as frontliners of our health sector in the early detection of childhood cancer signs and symptoms. They hold forums in 12 cities in 12 regions across the country and get local pediatric hematologists or pediatric oncologists as guest speakers.

Auste hopes to see more telethons, marathons and sustained media campaigns on childhood cancer. He says he would also really love to hold a summer camp for kids with cancer and see imported medicines distributed to those who need it at a fraction of present cost, if not for free.

Advocating for children with cancer

He also enjoins others not to just give monetary donations but to also get involved in the numerous activities being held and done for children with cancer in the country so that these kids need not die “needlessly, hopelessly and painfully”.

For instance, involvement in the advocacy to lower prices of medicines in the Philippines and the continued implementation of Republic Act No. 9502 (Universally Accessible Cheaper and Quality Medicines Act of 2008) and its important provisions will greatly benefit the families of these children, whose lives are equally compromised as they seek to fight for the life of a member.

For more information on how to help, and to report leukemia medication not being given for free in the hospitals mentioned above, contact Cancer Warriors Foundation at +632 5622954, or contact James Auste at jamesauste@yahoo.com and 09178485258.

The fight for these kids continues

More cancer consciousness campaigns are more likely to result in earlier detection since parents and caregivers alike will be alerted to the possibility of cancer when they observe the common symptoms. Support will also be facilitated more easily for those with limited education and resources. Furthermore, cancer education may get more mothers to breastfeed, reducing cancer risks in both their children and themselves, and more people to live healthier lifestyles.

Cancer is physically, emotionally, and psychologically draining, not just for the patients but also for the people rallying to get them well. Kids particularly need special help, as they are deprived of opportunities to go to school, play in the rain, and move about as they please.

Foundations like PBK and CWFI help these kids to continue to hope, dream and enjoy as much of childhood as they can. They empower their families to fight along with them by giving them the help they need: funds, access to information, and support.

Many of us have been touched by cancer, one way or another. Let us then help kids continue being resilient by helping the foundations that help them. Let us give, not just of our money, but also of our time and expertise.

The next child we save may very well come not far from home.

Photos: CWFI logo and Childhood Cancer Symptoms from Mr. James Auste, used with permission. "Child with cancer2" by Mec Arevalo. Some Rights Reserved.

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Mec Arevalo is a serial blogger, stay-at-home Mom, breastfeeding peer counselor for L.A.T.C.H. Inc. and volunteer counselor/facilitator for FAD Inc. Aside from being an intentional parent and preparing their family for homeschooling, she does what she can for her advocacies: breastfeeding, children-in-conflict with the law (CICL), HIV/AIDS Awareness and sign language. She relaxes by Plurking and digiscrapping.