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Alright, Bingers. Let’s take a break from our usual lifestyle and entertainment feature. Sure, being a millennial should be mostly about living the life but it is one unknown fact about me that I support several advocacy such as animal welfare and cancer. Speaking of cancer, there recently was a project launched to make the lives of cancer patients and their families easier. Cancer Game Plan PH will include in its advocacy several project such as the promotion of early detection and the building of solid support systems that address patient needs. One great thing about it is it will also provide an increasing access to costly treatments.

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The Plan Against Cancer

Cancer Game Plan PH is not exactly a new initiative. It stemmed from last year’s Hope From Within campaign. There are big plans for the project and among of which are to systematically change the face of disease care. We all know that cancer is a serious threat and spans to different types which is why the Plan expands its scope to lunch cancer, melanoma, head and neck, bladder, gastric, and Hodgkin lymphoma.

The launch was attended and supported by various organizations including the Department of Health, Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations, the Philippine Society of Medical Oncologists, Sunlife Insurance Corporation, and Cancer Coalition of the Philippines. Cancer Game Plan PH also took this chance to introduce their influencers such as Diego Castro. Castro is a longtime lung cancer ambassador.

Ms. Fatima “Girlie” Lorenzo, president of the Philippine Alliance of Patient Organizations elaborated on the stages of the cancer patient journey and why it is crucial for key stakeholders, advocates, caregivers and family members to create a game plan to effectively help patients cope with the disease

The event aimed to put the spotlight on cancer and spark conversation about it, and that they did. Danny Dimabuyu, a melanoma survivor, shared his experience in battling cancer and even inspired fellow patients as to how he was able to benefit from immunotherapy through PCSO’s help.

Let’s Fight Cancer

While cancer is a serious problem in the Philippines, Dr. Clarito Cairo, Cancer Program Manager of the DOH, shared his expert overview and analysis on the burden of cancer in the country and how the government has been seeking better support to those in need. One solution that he mentioned was PhilHealth’s Z Benefit package.

Dr. Clarito Cairo, Cancer Program Manager of the Dept. of Health gave an overview of the burden of cancer in the country and shared the cancer roadmap, which shows the ongoing initiatives of the government in battling cancer to address patients’ needs

At the core of the discussion was the talk about the cost of the disease. Medication for cancer can really be a problem on top of its emotional toil on patients. Dr Herdee Luna, Multimedia Committee Associate of PSMO, and Fatima Lorenzo, President of PAPO, reiterated the importance of empowering cancer patients. Luna mentioned the role of medical experts in the matter and provided hope by sharing on the new treatment options available in the country, such as immunotherapy.

With initiatives such as Cancer Game Plan PH, facing this disease can be of a lesser problem. Support from different organizations is readily available for patients and their family. The fight against cancer has now been made tougher with a deepened and expanded commitment in the mission to save more lives! For more info about Cancer Game Plan PH, head on over to Hope From Within.