Pagcor donates P3M to NCH for children with congenital heart disease

Some children with congenital heart disease at the National Children’s Hospital (NCH) will get a new lease of life after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) donated P3 million to fund their operation.

The NCH was Pagcor’s beneficiary on the fourth day of its “Pamaskong Handog 2015” project on Thursday.

NCH Chief Dr. Epifania Simbul said the P3-million grant that the hospital received this year from Pagcor can help “save the lives of around 30 children with congenital heart diseases.”

“We may be able to finally operate on Judy Ann and Kenneth who both have Ventricular Septal Defect or a hole in the heart as well as patients with Patent Ductus Arteriosus or those with an opening between two major blood vessels connected to the heart. Our goal is to extend the children’s lives and help them live normally,” Simbul said.

She was referring to seven-year-old Judy Ann Canlas and five-year-old Mark Kenneth Candes, who were among those chosen to receive a free heart operation through the assistance of Pagcor.

Canlas’ mother, Lorena, said her daughter was born with a hole in her heart. She added that her condition worsens as she grows older.

Judy Ann’s recent work-ups revealed that the hole is about three centimeters big and she needs to immediately undergo surgery which will cost around P500,000.

However, her mother said that with her husband’s meager income as a farm helper in Bulacan and with four more children to feed, they are clueless as to how they can save their daughter’s life.

Like Judy Ann, Mark Kenneth was also diagnosed with congenital heart disease. His mother, Analyn Bagispas, discovered his condition when he was just three days old.

“Sinabi po sa amin ng doktor na kailangang ma-operahan ni Kenneth. Problema lang po talaga namin ang gagastusin sa operasyon,” Annalyn said.

(The doctor told us that Kenneth needs to undergo an operation. We are worried about the cost of the operation.)

Annalyn had already lost her two other children. Her eldest son succumbed to death when he was six months old in 2009 due to dehydration caused by diarrhea, while her youngest son passed away when he was just five days old due to complication brought about by epilepsy.

“Si Kenneth na lang po ang natitira sa akin kaya inilalaban ko po talaga na humaba pa ang buhay niya. Gusto ko na po sana siya ma-operahan sa lalong madaling panahon,” Annalyn tearfully said.

(Kenneth is the only one left to me that’s why I’m really fighting to prolong his life. I hope he undergoes operation the soonest time possible.)

Fortunately, both Lorena and Annalyn’s prayers for their children had been answered through the assistance of Pagcor.

Apart from the P3-million cash donation, the gaming firm also treated about 100 patients and hospital staff to a Christmas party. They also received special Christmas gift packs containing noche buena items. The beneficiaries were likewise entertained by singer Luke Mejares along with Pagcor homegrown talents Joyce Tañaña and the Pagcor Voice Symphony.

Pagcor President and COO Jorge Sarmiento who graced the event expressed gratitude to NCH for allowing the agency to extend assistance to its patients.

“Masayang-masaya ang Pagcor para sa oportunidad na ito na makapag-bahagi kami ng blessings sa inyo. We are very happy and proud to say that Pagcor is one of the corporations with the biggest Corporate Social Responsibility Projects that are able to reach out to many less fortunate Filipinos all over the country. I-pagdasal niyo po na maipag-patuloy pa namin ang aming ginagawa,” Sarmiento said.

(Pagcor is very delighted for this opportunity to share our blessings with you. We are very happy and proud to say that Pagcor is one of the corporations with the biggest Corporate Social Responsibility Projects that are able to reach out to many less fortunate Filipinos all over the country. Please pray that we will be able to continue what we do.)

Established in 1945, NCH is a public hospital wherein funding comes mainly from the government. Simbul, who has been with the institution for 30 years, said most of their patients come from indigent families who could not afford private hospitalization.

“Eighty-five percent of our patients here ay iyong mga masasabi mo na hikahos talaga sa buhay. Kaya napaka-gandang balita na makakasama kaming muli sa Pamaskong Handog ng Pagcor,” she added.

(Eighty-five percent of our patients here are those considered to be suffering from extreme poverty. That’s why it is indeed a good news that we would be included in Pamaskong Handog of Pagcor.)

The NCH previously benefitted from the Pagcor Pamaskong Handog 2012 where the state-owned gaming firm granted P1.78 million for the improvement of the hospital’s hematology ward area that caters to children with life-threatening conditions such as cancer.

Simultaneous with the gift-giving in NCH, Pagcor also spread Christmas cheer to over 300 orphans, indigents and persons with disabilities from four charitable institutions in Cavite.

The beneficiary institutions include the Affairs Office for Persons with Disability in Carmona, Cavite; the Casa Dei Bambini Giuseppe orphanage and St. Anthony’s Boys Village for indigent boys, both in Silang, Cavite; and the Bahay San Rafael Home for Special Children in Amadeo, Cavite. RAM

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