It was a very inspirational day as The News Today, Mezzo Magazine and StepJuan all joined forces to create social awareness to the Ilonggos about the pediatric cancer. The symposium coincided with the Iloilo leg of Tomas Leonor's STEP JUAN "Walking expedition" to help raise funds for the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, where children with cancer seek treatment.
A simple forum was held at the Emilion Function Rooms at the Roadhouse along Gen. Luna Street where guests were enlightened about the disease through the resource persons led by Dr. Julius Lecciones, Pedriatric Oncologist and Head of the Philippine Children’s Medical Center.
A benefit dinner followed that night at Hotel del Rio wherein proceeds will go for this cause. Here are some literature about the said project.Pediatric Cancer
Cancer strikes even the young. In the Philippines, one Filipino child dies of cancer every three hours. What kills them is not the disease itself but the lack of funds for seeking and completing medical treatment and care. In the United States, 80 percent of children with cancer, survive.
Here in the Philippines, 80 percent die because of several reasons. One, the disease was not detected early, thus cure is impossible. Two, the disease was not treated effectively. Only one out of five received gold standard treatment mostly as pay patients. Three, there was no treatment at all or the parents have abandoned treatment for their child. For the second and third reasons, the inability to get good treatment or finish treatment is due to poverty.
Parents want their child to survive. Often have we heard of stories of parents who borrow money from relatives and neighbours, work hard day and night as well as seek help from charity organizations just so they have money for transportation to go to the hospital where their child receives chemotherapy and the treatment itself. But, these are not enough, leading to the child’s death.
STEP JUAN
Tomas Leonor, an artist-activist who is currently walking around the Philippines in order to help raise funds for the Philippine Children’s Medical Center, where children with cancer seek treatment. His walking expedition is called “Step Juan”.
This is not the first walk that Leonor has done to benefit others. Last 2010, he successfully walked from Pagudpud to Sorsogon and garnered more than 1.5 million pesos from different organizations and donors.Iloilo is part of the 50-day walk by Leonor. It will cover around 1,294 kilometers of long highways and pass 33 major cities and 150 towns.
WAYS TO HELP STEP JUAN1. Walk with Tomas
You can pledge to donate Php 10 for any number of Kms that Tomas walks. This will sustain maintenance for oral medication of one Cancer Warriors child for three years.
2. Cash donations
Contact 738 2051/ 436 7289 (for on-site donations, look for Step Juan BAI/Red Root Artist Representative) or email at support@redroot.coop/ redrootideas@gmail.com
3. Cheque donations
Please make cheques payable to Red Root Artists and Artisans Multipurpose Cooperative
4. Wire transfer/ Bank deposit
You may deposit temporarily to:
Account name: Red Root Artists and Artisans Multipurpose Cooperative
Bank Name: Landbank
Branch: Land Bank Philcoa
Account number: 0701-1403-38
5. GCASH
Just key in the amount