More than a hundred breast cancer patients under the care of the Philippine Foundation for Breast Care, Inc. (PFBCI) will be getting improved services through the P1.1 million financial assistance they got today from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

The assistance was given to PFBCI by the state-owned gaming firm during the 13th day of its “Pamaskong Handog 2011: 25 Days of Christmas, 25 Years of PAGCOR” nationwide gift-giving project. The event was held at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) in Quezon City.

PFBCI President Maria Lourdes Cortez said this is the first time that their 11-year old foundation received a huge amount of financial help from a government agency. PAGCOR’s donation will be used by PFBCI to buy hospital equipment for their beneficiaries and for the much-needed renovation of the Breast Care Center’s facilities currently housed at the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC).

“P600,000 will be used to buy a laminar cabinet, which is the preparation area for the mixing of the chemo shots. We need this to safeguard our doctors who prepare the medicines and our patients as well. We are also planning to purchase an infusion pump. Napakalaking bagay para sa amin ang magkaroon ng mga equipment na ito,” Cortez cited.

She added that the other half of the financial assistance will be used for the renovation and expansion of the Breast Care Center at the EAMC. “Our chemotherapy room already needs to be expanded because of the growing number of patients who are seeking help from us.”

According to Cortez, these plans had been in the foundation’s wish list for the past years. “We had plans but we are hoping that somebody would help us fulfill those plans. We’re very glad that PAGCOR came. This is a very wonderful gift to the institution and our beneficiaries, most especially in this season of giving.”

PFBCI founder Dr. Florentino Doble is likewise grateful that PAGCOR considered PFBCI to be one of its 36 charitable institution-beneficiaries for its Pamaskong Handog project this year.

He recalled that PAGCOR was among the first agencies to extend its helping hand to the foundation when PFBCI started in 2000. “We were just starting to build the foundation that time and PAGCOR’s P50,000 monthly financial aid back then was a very big help to us. I am very thankful that our organization was considered by PAGCOR this year. I believe there are more tremendous works that PAGCOR can do for our less privileged countrymen.” he added.

PFBCI provides accessible and affordable diagnostics and treatment services to cancer patients. The institution also implements several advocacy programs that aim to increase women’s awareness on breast cancer like screening, early detection, resource generation, emotional healing, and support groups, among others.

“We created several programs because we want to impart to the people that breast cancer is curable. We firmly believe that by educating the public on the importance of prevention and early detection, we could prevent the rise of breast cancer incidence,” Doble said.

Meanwhile, writer, director, and media personality Bibeth Orteza – also a breast cancer survivor - graced the gift-giving event in PFBCI and thanked PAGCOR for the help it gave to the breast cancer patients under PFBCI.

“Maraming salamat sa PAGCOR. Sana malaman din ng ibang tao na marami kayong natutulungan. Bukod sa pagpapatayo ng mga paaralan, sa pagsuporta at sa pagbibigay na pinansyal na tulong sa mga local artists na katulad namin, malaki rin ang naitutulong ng PAGCOR sa mga mahihirap nating kababayan lalung-lalo na ang mga may matinding karamdaman tulad ng breast cancer,” she said.

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