The Hearts of Hope Society is a Cancer Support Group of loving & caring cancer patients & survivors of the University of Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center in Las Pinas. SOCIETY
(formally organized last June 8, 2013)
II. Members:
Cancer patients who are undergoing chemo treatment &
Cancer survivors who are willing to inspire & help other cancer patients in the best way they can. Joining Fee: LOVE & SINCERITY
Annual Membership Fee: LOVE & CAMARADERIE
IV. Rationale
Cancer patients, from the start of being diagnosed with cancer, are already in great anxiety they know that cancer is a dreadful disease, fatal, has a lot of expenses & treatment is usually for some time. They also anticipate the psychological, emotional & spiritual stress they will be going through while battling cancer. Not to mention, the physical change they will be experiencing while on chemo treatment to cure cancer. Most of them are fortunate to have their families to give moral, psychological, emotional & spiritual strengths in their journey to gaining victory over cancer. But there are times when the family members cannot fully understand what the cancer patient is going through, why they still feel that way even if the family is giving him/her full support. There are also times when the family members have to go on with their normal lives – working & attending to other matters – and the cancer patient feel that somehow less time & attention is given him/her; since he/she cannot anymore go out & socialize with friends like before because of compromised immune system. In this situation, a group of friends who are in similar situation like them, can be a source of unique encouragement, inspiration, strength that can greatly help the cancer patient while going through this huge trial in their life. Forming a society can greatly help ease the burden of the treatment & recovery process of the cancer patient since he/she knows that they have friends going through the same journey; and friends who get strength, encouragement, inspiration & companionship from him/her even if he/she also has cancer. The patient still feels that he/she is needed even if stricken with cancer. And the psychological & emotional effect of this, most probably, will also help in a cancer patient’s speedy recovery. Objectives of the Society
- The primary objective of this society is to form a support group for cancer patients undergoing chemo treatment & those who survived cancer for psychological, emotional, social & spiritual support.
- The members of this society will generously share their camaraderie & time to the best they can to ease the psychological, emotional & spiritual burden with each other.
- The members of the society will also share their respective best practices with each other (during simple gatherings, seminars, others) in managing the discomforts of chemo treatment.
- The society aims to give strength, encouragement & inspiration to cancer patients.
- The society aims to initiate activities & projects which will make cancer patients creative & productive even while in chemo treatment. Past Activities of the Society:
1. Productive Creative Activity for Cancer patients –
A painting outreach project which will culminate in a selling painting exhibit. Proceeds of the sales of the paintings will be given to the cancer patients to somehow augment in their chemo treatment.
2. There shall be a Buddy System among the members of the society wherein each member will have a “BFF” (Best Friend Forever) for the purposes of being able to monitor or “take care” of all the members of the society. How does this work? You will be like a brother or sister to your Buddy. You will have to ask your Buddy at least 3 times a week on how he/she is feeling so that if he/she needs prayers for one reason or another, the Buddy will be the one to inform the other members that his/her buddy has this particular need. Or for example, if it is the birthday of your Buddy, you can also inform the members so that they can greet your Buddy & make him/her feel good!
3. Another activity is to visit society members or even non-members confined or having chemo treatment at Perpetual Help Dalta Medical Center to give them hope, encouragement, inspiration & cheers to fight against cancer.
4. Pilgrimages to Santo Padre Pio Shrine & St. Peregrine Shrine. VIII. Officer:
President - Ma. Cristina N. Macaranas
Board Of Advisers:
Ana Ma. Veronica A. Solano
Eden Bitanga
Elna S. Mangundayao
Jimvert I. Camarillo
Consultant: Dr. Eric de Leon
