Star Wars-themed clinic launched

Telecom and partners donate P1.4 million for the rehabilitation Hematology – Oncology Clinic at the Cancer Institute.

Sometime in 2016, the doctors at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and the PGH Medical Foundation Inc. saw the need to renovate the facility. While PGH is recognized as the national university’s hospital, the facilities were far from being conducive for healing.

“When I came in 2013, the clinic was in disarray - sira sira ‘yung sahig ng clinic (the clinic’s floor was dilapidated) at madumi siya (it was dirty),” related Dr. Ana Patricia Alcasabas of the PGH Cancer Institute and the section head of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

According to Dr. Alcasabas, the out-patient clinic sees around 400 children with cancer each month. Of these, about 300 children have to undergo procedures such as IV chemotherapy, bone marrow aspirations and lumbar taps in the clinic.

After consulting with the PGH Medical Foundation, it was decided that they would pursue the project and solicit the help of Globe Telecom. At that time, Globe was already actively participating in the foundation’s gift-giving activities.

Together with its various partners and customers, Globe was able to raise and donate P1.4 million for the rehabilitation of the Hematology – Oncology Clinic.

The project concept started in December 2016 in line with the company’s Create Courage Star Wars-themed campaign which strongly demonstrated the resilience of children in the face of adversity and encouraged the public to help via donations through prepaid load or charges to their postpaid bill.

“We are proud to have our partners, employees, and customers step in to participate in this worthwhile undertaking. We hope that through this project, we can all bring hope to the patients at the PGH Pediatric Hematology - Oncology clinic,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications.