IN LINE with the upcoming birthday celebration of Rodolfo Pineda, husband of incumbent Vice Governor Lilia Pineda and father of Governor Dennis Pineda, the family, as a tradition, showered with Christmas gifts at least 94 cancer patients on December 16.
Each cancer patient was given P5,000, gift packs, and one sack of rice courtesy of the Pineda family in Lubao.
As staunch advocates for better health care in the province, the mother-and-son Pineda tandem have been personally providing cancer patients with monthly P5,000 financial assistance to cushion their expenses in chemotherapy and other related operations.
Reycelyn Sangalang, 23, said she suffered from hydrocephalus and had brain tumors before, but she was able to defeat her illness. Because of the Pinedas' monthly financial assistance, she was able to defray her bills for MRI scans and medicines.
"Maraming salamat! Sana huwag magsawa sina Gov na tumulong sa 'min dahil sila ang pag-asa namin. Sobra ang tulong nila sa amin. Di nila kami pinapabayaan," said Julie Fe Manalus, a resident from Arayat town who underwent chemotherapy.
Estelita Santos, 62, extended her gratitude to the Pinedas, especially to Tatay Bong, for providing help to her fellow cancer patients who are in need of medicine maintenance and chemotherapy.
Also, Myrna Mercado, a mother of an ill child, said: "Makapag-survive kami pu dahil keng sawup yu. Maragul a maragul a sawup (We survive because of your big help)."
Joan Navarro, a cancer survivor, said she was able to defeat her disease because of the continuous help of the Pinedas.
Aside from the financial assistance coming from the Provincial Government, the cancer patients are receiving monthly stipend from the Pinedas' personal funds.
Present in the distribution were representatives from the Governor's Office and Nanay Community Workers. (PR)