Saturday, February 27, 2016

PN provides sailing, flying experience to 31 children with rare diseases

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 28): PN provides sailing, flying experience to 31 children with rare diseases

In line with its community engagement missions, the Philippine Navy (PN) on Saturday gave 31 orphans a feel on what it is like to sail in a naval vessel and fly in a aircraft.

This project is under the Navy's "Fly and Sail With Rare," PN public affairs office chief Capt. Lued Lincuna said.

It aims to to give an extraordinary experience for kids with rare disorder through a whole day of outdoor fun activities.

The 31 children were all from Philippine Society for Orphan Disorders, Inc. (PSODI) and their parents/guardians are the beneficiaries of this advocacy campaign.

Lincuna said PSODI is a non-profit organization whose aim is to continue the efforts of doctors to ensure sustainability of medical and financial support of patients with rare disorders.

It envisions to create awareness about rare disorders in the Philippines.

These children are trying to live a normal life despite frequent hospital visits for their medication and treatment.

Research shows that 30 percent of children with rare disease die before the age of five.

PSOD patient and family welfare program coordinator Janet Paguirigan said, “…It is about the experience of these children because you’ll never know until when they are going to stay here because of their condition specially those who do not have access yet to medicines they need.”

In his welcome remarks, Naval Air Group deputy commander Cmdr. Ariel Halasan assured the participants that they will strive their best to provide the extra ordinary experience of aboard with their assets.

“But more than the experiences, we offer you our friendship and our admiration for living the ideals that our organization is advancing: your courage for living up with the challenges, your strength for not succumbing to it, your faith for believing in your dreams and aspirations; and your hope for dreaming big and aspiring for greater achievements,” Halasan added.

The NAG Hangar, at Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite City, became the assembly area for the children and their guardians who were welcomed by the Marine Drum and Bugle Team.

After the necessary orientation, the children took turns in flying with the Navy’s Islander aircraft and sailing with BRP Heracleo Alano (PG-376) and a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB). Our sailors and marines served also as close in buddies or “big brother/sister” of these children.

The venue was also transformed into a fun fair environment where children, together with their parents or guardians, enjoyed arts and crafts like face painting, coloring activities, cupcake making, origami, t-shirt printing, among others.

Angelita Obeda, a mother of three children with rare disorders, expressed her thanks to the PN and to all the sponsors for the extraordinary experience they have afforded to her children.

“It feels good to see my children happy because they experienced being aboard a Navy ship and airplane,” Obeda said.

The activity was made possible through the collaboration of Philippine Navy with advocacy groups such as the Photography with a Difference (PWD), Makati Camera Club, PSODI, Volunteer for Youth Leaders in Health, Fujifilm, Chili Grass, and SM Cares and SM Supermalls.

It was in line with the nation’s observance of the 7th National Rare Disease Week, which joined hands with the rest of the world in celebrating the 9th World Rare Disease Day.

“There are many organizations that have good ideas for these children, Cynthia Manzanares, core group member of PWD, said.

“But these are ideas that need support from other organization. In this case, it is good that the PN has opened its door for this opportunity. Even if there are plans for these children but nobody would want to support these by way of providing facilities, like resources from the (Philippine) Navy, our dreams for these kids won't be realized.”

Lincuna said the PN takes pride in being helpful in making these children and their families experience a day of enjoyment and respite from their day-to-day ordeals.

He added this is a manifestation of the Command’s support to advocacy campaigns, particularly in this instance, to raise awareness and support for Filipinos with rare disease.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=861456

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