Feature Patient:
Jubilation for Jovellee
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common leukemia in children. ALL is a cancer of the white blood cells. Although the survival rate of this kind of cancer has proved to be more promising compared with other cancers, it's still important that all necessary care be given to the patient.
Jovellee Dionglay, 9 years old and an orphan, has ALL. Her young body and mind have been fighting cancer for almost three years now. She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, when she was just 6 years old. What had started out as a swollen lymph node in her tonsil and her recurring fever actually turned out to be cancer after undergoing bone marrow biopsy and several tests.
Before she had leukemia, young Jovellee has already been dealt with trials many adults have been blessed not yet too face. She had lost her parents at a very young age. Her mother was viciously murdered and the killer is still at large (Jovellee is unaware of this fact because her maternal grandmother, Aling Aida, now her guardian, opted to protect her from this painful truth) and that tragedy was followed by the lost of his father from a severe heart attack. Read more
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.
Starting It High 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. See more
First Quarter Party...
Celebrate Life Party
At Kythe, every additional month to a child’s life is a reason to celebrate! We are thankful to generous individuals, organizations, clubs, groups and companies who have taken some time off their busy schedule and have shared their blessings to put big smiles on Kythe’s children’s faces. Thank you to our Celebrate Life Party donors for the first quarter of 2010!
Sienna College Students, Rotary Club, Cecille Claudio, GJ Ronio, Angie Pineda, Connie Veto, Rosa Romero, UP-Tomokai, Richie Santos/ Eric Pe-Benito, Mrs. Matic, Fedex, Rommel Maranon, Felix Santos of Plicorp, Dr. Bondal and students, Ms. Bobot Dolfo, Vicky Mui, Lesley Geronimo
Portraits and Music... A Night of Arts
Kythe guested in 99.5RT’s Mission Wednesday show last February 17. Mission Wednesday is a show hosted by DJ Slyde in which different NGOs are invited every week to talk about their programs and how the listeners can support the NGOs in simple and grand ways.
To help raise funds for Kythe, DJ Slyde, Serenade Hall and 99.5RT organized two benefit gigs at Serenade Hall in the Penthouse of Golden Rock Building in 168 Salcedo Street, Makati. The benefit gigs were in the form of a “pianoke” – guests get to sing their requested songs with the expert accompaniment of a professional pianist. During the benefit gigs, a volunteer caricaturist, Mr. Jan San Juan, did portraits for a price of a P100 Miracle. The gigs and the radio guesting were great avenues to let more people know about the story of Kythe and how they can help by just donating a minimal amount of P100 every month.
All New Juan... Juan Bayan
Kythe, Inc. participated in the first Juanbayan Convention held at the Sofitel last March 6th. Juanbayan is a project of the Ateneo Junior Marketing Association. It aimed to be a pro-change event bringing together various NGOs and corporations. Through the event, NGOs were given a chance to present their programs to the companies present in the hope that these companies will support their various programs for their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).
Among the companies present were S&R, Steel Asia, Toby’s Sports, Alohandmade, Team Manila, Profora Media, Marketreach Distributors, Inc. Aside from Kythe, the other NGOs present were Tahanan Sta. Luisa, Inc., Philippine Band of Mercy, and Creativilla. Gawad Kalinga’s Tony Meloto shared how GK was able to tap big corporations to support its campaign.
Other past events:
- Bread of Life Christmas Party 2009
- Deltek Outreach Christmas Party and Turn-over of Donations
- Kythe-HSBC Christmas Party 2009
- October to December 2008 Activities
- Celebrate Life Parties
- 2nd Kythe Golf for a Cause, May 8, 2008
- Pinoy Ultra Runners, February and May 2008
- Activity Updates, February 2008
- Summer Activities, May 2008
- Younger Kids Can Help Too!
- Celebrate Life Parties, April 2008
- Run For Your Life: The Pinoy Ultra Runners' 2nd Ultra Marathon from Banaue to Sagada, February 9, 2008
- December 2007 Activities
- Family Day, November 24, 2007
- "Operation Smile," November 5-11, 2007, Ospital ng Makati
- "7th Asia Pacific Hospice Conference, September 27-29, 2007, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel
- "Blessing and Turn-Over Ceremonies at House of Hope, August 9, 2007, Davao Medical Center
- Young Children's Outing, June 2, 2007
- "Don't Cry Little One" Seminar, UP Balay Kalinaw, Q.C., March 16, 2007
- Gilded Expressions of Christmas, March 14, 2007
- Rev. Michael Wright Visits AFP Medical Center, March 14, 2007
- Annual Kite Flying, February 10, 2007, Ateneo Grounds
- New TPH-Kythe Child Life Coordinators!
- Bloodletting with CAT Group, January 20, 2007, Mandaluyong