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Health authorities estimate that by the year 2020, cancer, at its current rate, will have taken the lives of some
10 million people worldwide. Particularly vulnerable are people in developing nations, such as the Philippines.
Here, the Asia America Initiative, a non-governmental organization based in Washington, D.C., recently
launched a first of its kind cancer treatment program for the poor, including the establishment of a children's
cancer ward at the Philippine General Hospital in Manila.
Medicines for the program, coordinated by Asia America Initiative Director Albert Santoli, are being provided by
the U.S.-based National Cancer Coalition and HFK Krebsallianz of Germany. In March, these organizations
made an initial donation of $634,000 worth of cancer treatment medicines at the Hall of Flags at the
headquarters of the Philippine Marine Corps.
"Hundreds of cancer patients who otherwise would not have access to medication now have access to
treatment by oncologists in respected hospitals," said Rohaniza Sumndad, country director of the Asia
America Initiative. "The Program brings together international organizations and pharmaceutical corporations
with local medical centers to provide life saving treatment for cancer victims of all ages," she said.
Current local program partners include institutions such as the Philippine Cancer Society, the Cancer Institute
Foundation, the Rotary Club of Manila San Miguel and the Philippines Marine Corps. U.S.-based partners
include the National Cancer Coalition, International Relief and Development, the Brother's Brother Foundation,
and MEDPHARM, Inc. -- a service provider of diagnostic imaging equipment, laboratory instruments and
supplies.
The Cancer Treatment for the Poor aims to be treating at least 1,000 cancer victims by 2010. "In my experience
with the Cancer Institute Foundation and the Philippine General Hospital, I've witnessed the sad reality that
many of our Filipino brothers and sisters who have cancer have died and have suffered for a time because of
poverty and the lack of health support in terms of cancer treatment," said Antonio Perez, Director of the Cancer
Institute Foundation. "With this project, we hope that we could save more lives and help more of our cancer
patients."
Cancer treatment should not be reserved only for those who can afford it. The United States Government,
through its National Institutes of Health and grants to non-governmental organizations, is working with its
international partners to help the world's vulnerable populations meet the threat of one of the world's deadliest
killers.
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Dr. Thomas Hogn of HFK Krebsallianz and
Dr. Bambi Lorica of AAI visit with children
undergoing chemo-therapy.
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Tom Roane of National Cancer Coalition and
Albert Santoli of AAI deliver chemotherapy
medicines to senior oncology doctors.
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