2010 A Year of New Beginnings

The year 2010 marks the start of Kythe's expansion to more government hospitals. We welcome Bicol Medical Center, Naga City to the Kythe family. On February 4, 2010 during the World Cancer Day, we launched the Bicol Medical Center-Kythe Child Life Program together with our major sponsor Pfizer Philippines Foundation.  We expect to launch the Child Life Program in Cabanatuan and Baguio within the year. At the end of 2010, Kythe will be supporting the Child Life Program in 12 hospitals nationwide.  With your help and the support of our sponsors we can reach our 20-20-2012 target- to support the Child Life Program in 20 government hospitals on our 20th Anniversary in 2012!

We also wish to congratulate the administration of Kythe-affiliate hospital,  Armed Forces of the Philippines Hospital, for institutionalizing the psycho-social program in their facility. In January 2010, they implemented a Standard Operating Procedure for all medical personnel to conduct patient and family education, conferences, counseling sessions- all of which are part of the Child Life core services. We are very happy with this development because this in line with our goal of institutionalizing the Child Life Program in our affiliate hospitals. Kythe will embark on capacity building and training seminars to help our affiliate hospitals integrate psychosocial interventions in their system in order to provide holistic and quality patient care.

The wheels have started to  turn  for our two-pronged track of expansion and institutionalization. We are confident we will reach our desired destination on time :)

Maria Fatima Garcia-Lorenzo, MA CCLS
Executive Director

AIM HIGH... FLY HIGH
Kythe Ateneo successfully held its annual kite-flying activity last January 30.  The kite-flying was the culmination of Kythe-week's many activities – from blood drives, toy workshops, and photo competitions.  Held at the Bellarmine Field of the Ateneo De Manila University, the event started with a healing mass.  Aside from flying kites, the children from Kythe’s various affiliated hospitals were also treated to different fun booths, unlimited rides in a real firetruck, ice cream and cotton candy!  There were even free massages for the parents and guardians.

The event also served as the celebration of Kythe’s 18th anniversary.  With the theme “Return to Neverland,” Kythe, Inc. is reminded, as it grows and gears up its programs to be present in twenty hospitals by 2012, to continue to let children with chronic diseases experience, enjoy and celebrate the magic of childhood. 

A Million Thanks to Toshiba
For five years now, Toshiba Information Equipment Philippines, Inc. has been granting generous support to Kythe programs and activities. Last March 19th, Toshiba Philippines turned over their donation for the year 2010 in a short but sweet program held at their office in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Their ONE MILLION ONE HUNDRED THIRTY ONE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED SIXTY TWO Pesos donation was culled from contribution of their employees matched by their company's CSR fund. In her speech, Kythe Executive Director, Ms. Girlie Garcia-Lorenzo, thanked and congratulated the Toshiba team for helping extend the lives of children with chronic illnesses. The donation will be used for Kythe's chemotherapy fund.

Everyday Heroes... Kuya Ernan Balingit
For others, volunteering in a cause could be merely for curiosity's sake or some kind of experimentation on what it feels like to take part in a charitable activity.

But still there are those who make volunteerism a way of life. Mr. Ernan Balingit aka Kuya Ernan is one of Kythe's loyal and dedicated volunteers. A simple, unassuming guy with a tremendous heart, Ernan volunteers regularly in the AFP Medical Center and the National Kidney and Transplant Institute.

He says that helping children with cancer gives him a sense of fulfillment that's quite indescribable. He shares that no money could equal the happiness he derives from visiting the hospital and sharing his time with the children over and over again.