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Monday, May 12, 2003
Cancer survivors form support group
"MINDA'S Buddies," a newly formed cancer survivors self-help support group based in Baguio City, their caregivers and families, volunteers, and those in the practice of medicine, along with 31 other cancer support groups throughout the Philippines, recently initiated the National Cancer Coalition during the First Cancer Group Summit at the Hyatt Regency in Manila.
The summit, attended by some 400 cancer survivors, caregivers, doctors, nurses, social workers and volunteers was sponsored by the Biomedis Oncology in partnership with the Philippine Cancer Society (PCS).
In line with the pharmaceutical's "Joy of Living" advocacy, Biomedis general-manager Eugene Ramos said that his company seeks to "enter into the patient-doctor partnership, to bring back the heart of healing and to make life better for all cancer survivors, their families and health care providers."
Cancer now ranks as the biggest killer in the country, the PCS said, noting that the Philippines also has the highest cancer mortality rate in Asia.
Breast cancer survivor and activist Leonora `Noney' Marzan and folksinger husband Conrad, who were invited by Dr. Felina Adefuin and the sponsors, represented "Minda's Group" in the said summit. Marzan, a registered physiotherapist who was recently conferred her masters degree in Health Services Management by the University of the Philippines, said that the group is named after Minda Uligan of Baguio who died last February due to breast cancer.
"Her dying wish was to be a member of the group, then at its forming stage," Marzan said. "The group is initially a social and friendship group but will evolve, according to the needs and expectations of the members; members should claim ownership to ensure the group's survival."
Marzan, the group's facilitator, and her oncologist, are inviting cancer survivors, their families and volunteers to join the self-help group. They may be contacted at 0919-6444909. Membership is open to all.
Members of the cancer group coalition organized in Manila envision a "self-empowered and internationally recognized cancer group coalition that undertakes diverse activities to enhance the quality of life of all cancer survivors."
During the daylong summit, workshops on cancer advocacy, teambuilding, and skills enhancement were conducted, even as the more established support groups such as Breast Friends at the Philippine General Hospital and the Bacolod-based FACES shared their experiences in sustaining their advocacy initiatives.
Venture for fundraising executive director May Ann Quebral also lectured on the fundamentals of fundraising.
Even as issues regarding the organizational structure and funding sources were unresolved, the coalition identified programs targeted for the next six months: a nutritional guide program, summer outing, volunteer training, livelihood program and support services are spearheaded by volunteers from the varied cancer support groups under the coalition. Participants agreed to meet by mid-year to decide on other issues.
(May 12, 2003 issue)
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