DAVAO CITY— #BrigadangAyala volunteers, composed of representatives from various business units of the Ayala group, recently delivered hygiene kits to the House of Hope, a halfway house for pediatric cancer patients seeking treatment at the Southern Philippines Medical Center Cancer Institute in Davao City.
Organized by Ayala Foundation, this volunteer activity was part of year-round efforts to commemorate Ayala Corporation’s 190th anniversary. Under Corporate Citizenship and Volunteerism, the foundation aims to generate at least 190,000 volunteer hours by the end of the year. These volunteer activities are geared towards increasing collaboration within the group and strengthening the relationship of Ayala’s units with the communities in which they operate. Fourteen volunteers joined the House of Hope activity, distributing at least 60 hygiene kits.
Since 2018, the Ayala group has been regularly visiting the SPMC Cancer Institute and the House of Hope to provide support for the care of pediatric cancer patients. In 2018, Ayala turned over an 810nm diode laser to the Cancer Institute. This state-of-the-art equipment has been serving at least 15 special cases year after year, with each patient undergoing multiple sessions. The availability of this equipment at the institute makes it easier for patients from Mindanao and other areas to seek treatment, cutting down travel and other related expenses.
“The House of Hope is like a watering hole for us. We make it a point to visit from time to time, either collectively as #BrigadangAyala volunteers or through personal visits, as the doctors, nurses, carers, parents, and of course, the kids who continue to fight, inspire us,” said Cel Amores, Ayala Foundation Corporate Citizenship Senior Director.
The SPMC Cancer Institute serves at least 200 pediatric cancer patients every year, with an estimated 80 percent of them coming from outside Davao City. While many of these patients come from Mindanao, the SPMC has also seen an increase in cases coming from the Bangsamoro region, and even patients from Central Visayas and Southern Luzon.
Given the significant number of non-Mindanao patients accessing the institute’s facilities, the House of Hope halfway house provides a safe space for children being prepared for medical or surgical treatment, and for those who need a place to stay during chemotherapy. Ayala helped with the renovation of House of Hope in 2019. The Ayala Multi-Purpose Cooperative also donated a toy library to be enjoyed by patients. In addition, volunteers from Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) branches in Davao City regularly conduct feeding activities at House of Hope.