Cancer treatment for 20 children and 30 women

For nearly three years, the COVID Pandemic and natural disasters have been brutal on children with various forms of cancer, and rare and congenital diseases in hundreds of islands in the Philippines.  Thanks to the GlobalGiving donor community and enduring partners such as One Wold Institute, Asia America initiative has been able to adapt and improvise a holistic approach to providing a healing touch to courageous child patients at medical centers such as the House of Hope Center in Davao and Philippines Heart Center in Manila. AAI provides life-saving nutrition and gifts to help overcome trauma and support healing. This is especially important for young children who need extra care and love. Our art programs, conducted in hospital wards, build a joyful attitude to embrace life and enhance their healing process. Toys, books, and educational materials are supplied to give hope for the future.

During the height of the Covid19 pandemic, AAI volunteers were often restricted from directly interacting with children with compromised immune systems.  We learned to use the utmost caution and divide our program efforts between hospital nurses and young volunteers. We had to judiciously provide materials and nutrition supplements through hospital staff so the children and families would have peace of mind. We also offered direct support and helped with costs for treatment in special cases in support of impoverished families.  We have learned to set aside parts of our budget to address the challenges in housing and family access to their children. 

Maturing but cautious AAI volunteers treat all patients and their families with respect for their dignity. Children with cancer and hospitals like House of Hope and the Philippine Heart Center are often from families that earn less than $3 per day. "AAI and friends such as One World Institute programs are very holistic," says OWI President Dr. Yolanda Stern, Ph.D. "Activities include nutrition, art supplies, storybooks, and toys to instill positive attitudes and big smiles. Severe poverty and malnutrition afflict more than 60% of the population. Healing from cancer involves more than medicine; it requires a positive and joyful attitude," says Dr. Stern. 

People in much of the under-developed world, such as the Philippines, are unable to afford medical care for life-threatening diseases or to access life-saving medicines. Quality medical care is rare, and travel to specialized clinics is very expensive. AAI's programs empower entire communities to have hope. Every life is treasured. We seek to prove it is possible to succeed against all odds.

Professor Al Santoli, Founder of AAI, expressed his appreciation to all of our donors, "Thank you for being a part of this heartfelt team."  If you would like to make an additional contribution to this project for children receiving treatment, please follow the link below.

Cancer treatment for 20 children and 30 women

Wishing you peace,

Albert Santoli

Director, Asia America Initiative

Links:

• Asia America Initiative website

Dear GG Donors,

When Asia America Initiative and our wonderful donors adopted then-3-year-old Brielle, she was not expected to live to see her 4th Birthday. No qualified specialists or pediatric surgical facilities in the Philippines could provide the liver transplant and special medicines required for her survival. She would need to travel to a specialized care facility in Taiwan for the procedure and needed a liver transplant donor on short notice who could provide a perfect match. With three months left in her survival period, time was running out.  

It's been 6 years since she received her transplant. It was her mother's liver that was the best match. A pharmaceutical company in the United States generously provided the specialized medicines free of charge. Our GlobalGiving donors and a US-based family trust foundation made sure we could help cover the costs of travel, hospital bills, and other fees. Thanks to you all, we did keep faith with other children on our care list. 

At the time, Asia America Initiative was asked by our medical advisors, "Why are you putting so much time and resources into this one almost impossible case when so many other children in our assistance program are in need?"  My response was simple, as an "end-stage" cancer survivor just a few years previously, still feeling the pain from that major surgery, "I believe this child can survive." We, and her many supporters, are delighted that she has not only survived but has been a blessing and a model for so many others families facing the same adversity. 

After she and Brielle recovered, her mother completed her medical school studies and is now a practicing medical doctor in the Philippines. Brielle is a happy and healthy 9-year-old. She attends school and is growing up well, as her transplant continues to be a great success. 

AAI's program for children with cancer and other rare diseases supports children receiving treatment by supplementing nutrition to aid for full recovery, boosting their morale with gifts and nutritional support to increase their lifespan. AAI supplies books and educational materials to give hope for the future. This is especially important for young children who need care and love to know, "You are not alone." Our art programs conducted in hospital facilities build a joyful attitude to embrace life and enhance their healing process.

Our program is an international model of donor kindness and corporate social responsibility. By surviving and experiencing hope, the multi-ethnic children inspire their neighbors who usually live in underserved communities. For children living in dire poverty, the influence of violent crime and militant extremism is a constant reality. This holistic program empowers entire communities to have hope and resist the dark paths caused by despair. Yes, "Every life does matter," and it is possible to succeed against all odds when our love, faith, and the supporting kindness of people like you are strong.

Thank you for being a part of this heartfelt team. If you would like to make an additional contribution to this project for other children receiving treatment, please follow the link below. (We are pleased that GlobalGiving is also offering a match on your first donation if you prefer to enroll as a monthly contributor. Monthly contributions help plan needs and activities for the children in the month ahead.) 

Cancer treatment for 20 children and 30 women

Wishing you peace, 

Albert Santoli

Director, Asia America Initiative

Links:

• Asia America Initiative website