In 1993 when project “Batang Kapwa” or “Batang K” was conceived, more than 200 cases of cancer were discovered each day in the Philippines. Seven of these 200 cases were children below the age of ten. For those born to families that have the means to avail of the services of private doctors and hospitals, the chances of survival are high.
While most still considered cancer as a death sentence, on the bright side, modern medical science had already found ways to arrest the growth of certain types of cancers in children. Treatment may take months or years, but the chances of survival are good.
But for others, a child with cancer can push the entire family into poverty and despair. Mounting debt may not even suffice to meet the needs for regular and continuous chemotherapy which can cost up to PhP40,000.00 per month. Some families could not afford the critical last few months of treatment and just give up. There was, and still is, a felt need to help make these children cancer warriors who can fight this disease with patience, perseverance and faith. Thus a medical and social assistance program for children with curable cancers was launched.
The project continues to drum up support for: 1) medical care and chemotherapy; 2) support group activities for psycho-social needs of children with cancer; 3)counselling and support activities for indigent families of children with cancer; 4) learning activities for children who may have to stop schooling because of chemotherapy; 5) information campaigns to detect early signs of cancer in children.
Watch Batang K videos.
While most still considered cancer as a death sentence, on the bright side, modern medical science had already found ways to arrest the growth of certain types of cancers in children. Treatment may take months or years, but the chances of survival are good.
But for others, a child with cancer can push the entire family into poverty and despair. Mounting debt may not even suffice to meet the needs for regular and continuous chemotherapy which can cost up to PhP40,000.00 per month. Some families could not afford the critical last few months of treatment and just give up. There was, and still is, a felt need to help make these children cancer warriors who can fight this disease with patience, perseverance and faith. Thus a medical and social assistance program for children with curable cancers was launched.
The project continues to drum up support for: 1) medical care and chemotherapy; 2) support group activities for psycho-social needs of children with cancer; 3)counselling and support activities for indigent families of children with cancer; 4) learning activities for children who may have to stop schooling because of chemotherapy; 5) information campaigns to detect early signs of cancer in children.
Watch Batang K videos.
