"Spread love to children every day."

In celebration of Heart Month, the JC Cares Foundation, a charity organization founded to help those in need, visited the Philippine Heart Center to spread love and joy to heart patients' kids.

Young business tycoons Jonathan So and Carlito Macadangdang led the event by bringing them gifts and happiness.

"Kamusta na po kayo? Meron lang po kaming kaunting tulong na dala-dala para sa inyo. Sana po kahit papaano makatulong at kaunting ginhawa para sa inyo. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat", Vice President and CFO Carlito Macadangdang greeted the beneficiaries.

 

JC Cares President and CEO Jonathan So joined Macadangang and other volunteers to visit three wards and the outpatient department of PHC.

"Hi, kids. hello sa inyo. Sa Mga Mommies, kayo po ang tunay na heroes. Alam naming medyo mahirap, pero nandito po kami para magbigay ng kaunting tulong."

They gave joy to 100 child heart disease patients between the ages of 0 and 15 who had open heart surgery, congenital heart disease, or acquired heart disease.

 

Congenital heart disease (CHD) has consistently been the leading cause of death in the Philippines. And according to data from healthcare experts and the World Health Organization, about 20,000 children with CHD are born in the Philippines annually.

GMA artists Ken Chan and Althea Ablan brought much-needed celebrity power to uplift the patients and their loved ones. The event's highlight was Ken Chan's serenade to the kids and Althea Ablan's TikTok dance hits, which brought joy and laughter to the children and their families.

The foundation distributed gift packs containing healthy snacks, coloring materials, drawing pads, and bubbles (the toy) to help kids who underwent open-heart surgery with breathing exercises.

Jollibee Meals were also distributed, which brought smiles to the kids' faces.

Aside from Ken and Althea, the event would not have been possible without the help of Team Eralista, Team RM, Team Chosen, Team Tycoon, Team Driven, Team Xynergy Xtreme, Team Bless Eagles, Team Spartans Elite, Team BIG 4, Team Magnetar, and Team MPH.

Dr. Joel Abanilla, the director of the Philippine Heart Center, personally extended his gratitude for the monetary donations from the JC Cares Foundation, which will aid in treating and caring for heart patients.

So and Macadangdang knew that JC Cares Foundation's respite to these young kids was temporary and that the patients would still face a long battle to overcome their heart disease.

"Kasama narin po yung aming prayers sa inyo. Wag po kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa kaya, keep praying lang po," So expressed. 

Ken and Althea assured the kids that this would not be the first and last time they would see them: "Alam po naming di ganon kadali ang pinag-dadaanan nyo, but nandito po kami nakasuport sa inyo kahit sa munting pamamaraan po namin kasama ang JC Cares Foundation."

The event was a success and gave hope to the children and their families battling heart disease.

The JC Cares Foundation continues to live by its slogan "Keep Helping" and aims to better other people's lives. ###