This was double the number expected during the first ever cancer advocacy forum conceptualized as a wholistic experiencing tackling cancer issues and concerns, as well as a first–hand sharing by survivors and their families.
The family of the late Rio Diaz came to share their experiences during Rio’s long battle with cancer. Gloria, Aurora, Ruby and Georgie each recounted how they discovered ways of coping with Rio’s crisis.
Charlie Cojuangco provided a husband’s perspective on losing a partner, going through the various stages of grieving and eventually letting go.
Later in the day, Rustan’s Essences made the guests feel good about themselves with makeovers, massages, hairstyling and wig demos courtesy of HRD (Hair Reconstruction Device), cooking and even meditation.
Big C Publishing, the only comprehensive cancer lifestyle magazine, invited "sexy chefs" Rachel and Barny Alejandro to do a demo of the South Beach Diet while Becky Singson conducted a talk on the sources and effects of carcinogens to the body.
Asian Hospital and Medical Center and the Philippine Society of Oncologists offered free consultations all day.
The closing segment was devoted to prominent women whose "lives were touched" by cancer and were renewed after survival. Among them were Maritoni Fernandez, Stella Laurel and Meryl Graham.
Bituin Escalante wrapped up the day with the song "I Will Survive" which brought everyone on the dance floor.
HEALING OF BODY, MIND & SPIRIT
At the C Network room, a session of healing of body, mind and spirit was conducted by communications expert Antonio Salac Santos.
He opened the dialogue by asking his audience, "When you bring out garbage, what follows you?" The answer, of course, was — flies.
In life, Antonio says that we must be careful about the "garbage" we carry around with us.
This is the stuff that attracts negativity – the aspects of fear, anger and frustration — which later manifest into ailments and unhappiness.
"When we smile and bring honey into our lives, we attract sweetness – the kind that attracts butterflies, beauty and love," said Santos.
HOSPICE CARE: CURE TO CARE
The subject of Hospice Care was tackled by two resource speakers who have actually ventured into the latest alternative for caring for terminally ill patients.
"The objective of hospice care is to give your loved one a comfortable, familiar place to live the rest of his life in a home environment," noted Susan Reyes who, together with friends, set up Home Care a couple of years ago.
"We were sad to discontinue operations due to lack of support from the medical community," Susan lamented.
Another resource person, Rhodora Ocampo of the Madre Mis Hospice Center in Laguna, said that their center is operated and maintained by volunteers.
"We somehow have managed to keep our facility running. It is really the best way to provide care, after cure has reached a dead end," said Ocampo.
ICANSERVE Foundation founder Kara Magsanoc Alikpala thanked her volunteer tasked force for the support during the standing room-only event which occupied the entire ballroom and lower function room of the Edsa Shangri-La.
Volunteers included cancer survivors Bibeth Orteza, Nangge Mabanta, Cecille Alvarez, Carla Paras Sison, Slice Orleens.
