About 300 children with cancer met and played with their Marine friends last December 5 at the Philippine Marine Corps Headquarters, Taguig City in a Cancer Awareness Campaign dubbed as “You Can Hug Me”.
The Cancer Treatment and Support Foundation (CTSF) in cooperation with the Deutsche Knowledge Services invited the Marine Corps to participate in their year-end activity that would educate the people that cancer is not contagious. It also aimed to encourage the public to extend support to cancer patients as the Marines are doing for quite a while now.
The Philippine Marine Corps headed by Commandant Major General Juancho Sabban opened its door and reached out for cancer patients, especially the under privileged so that they can have access to proper healthcare. This is one of the means and ways the Corps addresses sociopolitical unrest and insurgency.
Dr. Mae Concepcion Dolendo of the Philippine Society of Pediatric Oncologists said, “a small fragile child afflicted with cancer draws strength from the strong, able bodied courageous Marines who fulfill their civic duties to protect and inspire a child.”
“You Can Hug Me” activity was attended by more or less 300 cancer patients from the Philippine General Hospital, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, St. Luke’s Medical Center, Manila Doctor’s Hospital and University of Sto. Tomas Hospital. The Marines inspired them and their families through Photo Static Display, film showing, Combo Concert, silent drill exhibition and Drum and Bugle performance.
The organizers believe that the activity was worthwhile and heart-warming. “Seeing small frail children with cancer mingling and playing with the lean and tough Marines is such a wonderful sight,” they said.
CPTindog/12-04-09
