Updates From Nikki Cares Foundation, Inc.
The NIKKI CARES FOUNDATION, INC has organized four surgical missions in Negros Occidental since 2017. Two were done in the Silay City Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Hospital, one in San Carlos City Hospital and another one at the Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital in Kabankalan City.
There are a total of 874 patients covered – 581 minor operations and 293 major surgeries.
Recently, a team from the Nikki Cares Foundation. Inc. visited a few beneficiaries to know how they are and learn from their experiences how best to improve the Libre nga Operasyon program.
Nely Dahildahil, 46, a housewife , laundrywoman and mother of two, in Barangay Caliling, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, found out she had multiple myoma after an ultra-sound procedure in May 2018. They were poor and could not afford an operation and she was afraid of going into the hospital.
A neighbor who was a Kagawad in their barangay heard of the Libre nga Operasyon of Nikki Cares Foundation and submitted her name. In October 4, 2018 volunteer surgeons from Makati Medical Center took out her myoma and she was confined at the Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital. After six days, Nely and her husband, Ronaldo, an all-around handyman who earns through remedyo heneral around the community, took the public bus for a four-hour ride home, happy that her myoma is no more.
Gina Hilapon, 38, another housewife from Sitio Pilyopilyuhan , Barangay Inapoy in Kabankalan, another southern city in Negros Occidental had been suffering from goiter for 11 years. Her mother-in-law learned from a worker in their Barangay Health Center of the Nikki Cares free surgical mission and her name was submitted. Of the seven names from their barangay, two only qualified from the pre-screening and Gina was one of them.
After six hours of surgery last October 2018 at the Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital and three days confinement, Gina was back in her home with husband, Randy, a farm worker and their three children.
The Nikki Cares Foundation team recently visited her in Kabankalan and Dr. Claudella Pabello, chief of the Lorenzo Zayco District Hospital also checked on her. Gina was found in good condition as she reported no complaints at all three months after the operation.
Renavie Saludo, 34-year-old housewife and mother of three from Hacienda Benedicto in Dacumon, Barangay 12, Victorias City is another beneficiary of the Nikki Cares Foundation. She was found with myoma more than ten years ago and was thankful that barangay officials recommended her for the Libre nga Operasyon.
She underwent total hysterectomy last November 2017 during the first free surgical mission with Makati Medical Center volunteer surgeons at the Teresita Jalandoni Memorial Provincial Hospital. With no more medical problems, she is preparing to leave for Malaysia in February this year, to work as a domestic helper.
Nelia Talite, a 51-year-old widow, mother of four who runs a multi-supply store in the heart of Barangay Alicante, EB Magalona had been bearing pain for years due to gallstones. Her brother, a Kagawad in another barangay, submitted her name and in October last year, she underwent laparoscopy with the surgeons from Makati Medical Center.
Nelia recalls the tender, loving care of the Nikki Cares staff, doctors, nurses and most of all, Mrs. Dominique “Nikki” Benitez, who quietly visited each and every patient around the hospital, asking how they are, and assuring them that all will be well. Nelia expressed her gratefulness and said she could never forget the care and concern that had touched her life with the Nikki Cares Libre nga Operasyon.
The Nikki Cares team also visited the homes of children-beneficiaries and talked to the mothers – one-year-old Janarisse Dantes in Hacienda San Jose II in Barangay Kapitan Ramon, Silay City who underwent operation for a cleftlip, and four-year-old Joshua Guangco in Hacienda Minuluan, Barangay Efigenio Lizares in Talisay City, who had surgery for hernia.
Hannah Shane Suarez was just a 12 year- old pupil at the Violeta Integrated School in Barangay Kapitan Ramon, Silay City when she was diagnosed with a congenital heart disease. The doctors advised surgery that must be done soon, as she was already experiencing difficulty in breathing and a serious attack could be fatal.
Eliza Suarez, her 55 year old mother said they could not afford the procedure and the family had asked help from so many possible benefactors. In 2015, the Suarez met Cong. Alfredo Benitez and learned of the Betty Bantug Benitez Foundation, and the active involvement of Nikki Benitez in medical missions all over the country. The son of Cong. Albee, Javi who organized a Fun Run in Victorias City, even identified Hannah Shane as among the beneficiaries.
In September 1, 2016, Hannah Shane underwent a successful open heart surgery at the Philippine General Hospital. Today, at 16 she is enjoying life as a healthy teenager, a Grade 9 student still at the Violeta Integrated School. Among her hobbies, is playing chess and she even joins school competitions.
Her mother tearfully shares with the team who visited them how they can never thank enough the Benitez family and the many who have helped and supported them, for the new leash in life and opportunity for their daughter.
Hannah Shane promised to take care of herself, so that someday she can pay it forward, as a teacher, specifically a Math teacher.*
