In a landmark event aimed at reshaping the healthcare landscape for Filipino blood cancer patients, the 2024 Blood Cancer Patient Forum convened patients, advocates, and healthcare stakeholders to rally for better access to life-saving resources. Organized by the Blood Cancer Alliance of the Philippines (BCAP), the forum—aptly themed Kanser sa Dugo, Laban ng Bawat Pilipino—marked the country’s first-ever event of its kind focused on blood cancers.
With an estimated 12,000 Filipinos diagnosed annually with blood cancers like lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma, the forum shed light on the urgent need for systemic change. Patients, healthcare providers, and advocates came together to discuss the barriers that hinder access to timely diagnosis, treatment options, and comprehensive care.
Four cancer warriors shared their inspiring stories during the Blood Cancer forum
A shared mission to educate, support, and advocate
One of the highlights was the powerful testimony of Jheric Delos Angeles, a survivor of Stage 4 Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma. Alongside his wife, Anna Tapel-Delos Angeles, they founded Lymphoma Philippines after experiencing firsthand the struggles of battling blood cancer in the Philippines. Their mission: to build a strong community that educates, supports, and advocates for improved healthcare access for blood cancer patients across the country.
BCAP, under their leadership, has grown to become a collaborative force, working with groups such as Kanser sa Adolescents & Young Adults (KAYA) and EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation, as well as healthcare institutions like the Philippine College of Hematology and Transfusion Medicine (PCHTM) and Healthway Cancer Care Hospital. Together, they are creating meaningful solutions to tackle the blood cancer burden.
Showcasing innovative awareness projects
A key moment of the forum was the unveiling of BLOOM Philippines, an ambitious project aimed at collecting critical demographic and clinical data on blood cancer patients to better inform future treatments and policies. This initiative will create the country’s first-ever hospital-based blood cancer registry, a critical step toward providing more targeted care for patients.
In addition, LymphomaQR, a new chatbot launched by Lymphoma Philippines, was introduced as a tool to make vital information more accessible to the public. From lymphoma symptoms to available financial assistance programs, this user-friendly chatbot offers support to patients and their families throughout their journey.
“Our work doesn’t stop here”
“We believe in empowering our community of warriors and survivors through education and support,” said BCAP convenor Jheric Delos Angeles. “But our work doesn’t stop here. We continue to push for broader reforms that can improve healthcare access for all Filipino blood cancer patients.”
As the event concluded, the sense of urgency and hope was incredibly felt. With a growing coalition of advocates and stakeholders, the future looks brighter for Filipino blood cancer patients, as they continue the fight for better resources and improved healthcare outcomes.
