Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024

The SPSA one-man surgical mission to the Philippines from February 4th to the 10th, 2008, was a tremendous success. A total of 18 children with hydrocephalus were shunted. 4 VP shunts were left as the babies had medical problems and can’t undergo general anesthesia. The shunts will be put in by the local neurosurgeons/and residents. I wish to acknowledge and extend my thanks to Integra LifeSciences, Inc., for donating the shunts, otherwise this mission would not have been possible. The funding for the hospital and operating room charges were shouldered by GMA/Channel 7 Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko Foundation, c/o Ms. Connie Angeles and the SM Foundation, c/o Ms. Debbie Sy. Tremendous networking and in-roads were made during this trip with several facilities for future venues of surgical missions like this. Many thanks to the Medical Staff, OR Staff, Nursing Staff and Anesthesia Staff of the following: East Avenue Medical Center, where most of the procedures were done, The Philippine Childrens Medical Center, and the Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital. With their help and cooperation, we were able to give these poor children a chance to live and maybe grow up to be productive citizens. Many thanks to Ed and Baby Puno for their hospitality, and lastly to Debbie and Harley Sy, whose efforts and support made this underatking possible. For all your thoughts and prayers…I thank you very much.. God Bless… Manny

The volunteers to the SPSA Surgical Mission to Legazpi, Albay Province, December 6-13, 2007, pose for a posterity photo during its humanitarian visit to the town of the Perfect Cone, Mayon Volcano, where they ministered to health needs of the people in the rural areas. This was the region devastated by typhoon “Reming” in November 2006 where thousands died from mudslides. This year’s mission performed 176 major surgeries, 170 minors, and 37 eye cases, with a total of 383.