As part of this year’s Pasko Fiesta celebration, the City Government of Davao held a Christmas event at the House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer Inc. at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) on Wednesday.
A total of 72 kids from the House of Hope and the SPMC Children’s Cancer Institute (CCI) were given toys and other Christmas gifts.
The children were also visited by popular action movie characters with whom they got to play games and take pictures with. A short presentation was given by the children’s parents.
House of Hope program director Dr. Mae Concepcion Dolendo said such celebrations are needed by the kids whose prolonged treatment tend to deter their Christmas spirit.
“We’re very happy na kasali tayo sa (we are part of the) Pasko Fiesta celebrations. We’re very glad that the city government continues to support our children with cancer because, kung ispin natin (if we think about it), Christmas is really for children,” Dolendo said.
“They are sick, marami silang iniisip (they think about lots of things). Because of the long-term treatment, the kids sometimes forget to play, they forget to be kids, so we are very grateful to the city government for bringing cheer to these children, particulary on Christmas,” she added.
The event was attended by city officials and CCI doctors. CIO
