The I Want To Share Foundation (IWTS) recently partnered with Manila Hearing Aid to donate 30 specially-made hearing aids for pediatric cancer survivors, underscoring the foundation’s commitment to supporting children in their cancer journey.
In a heartwarming celebration of hope, the I Want To Share Foundation (IWTS) recently joined forces with Manila Hearing Aid to donate hearing aids to 30 pediatric cancer survivors. The event underscored the foundation’s mission to advocate for early childhood cancer detection and treatment while reinforcing its commitment to improving the lives of children facing the challenges of illness.
“Today marks another milestone as we announce beautiful plans for the I Want To Share Foundation with the goal of helping children with cancer,” expressed IWTS founder and chairperson Sheila Romero during the turnover ceremony. “I would like to personally thank Manila Hearing Aid for this partnership and for the 30 hearing aids that will benefit 30 survivors, on behalf of the children and the foundation.”
READ ALSO: Shining Hearts: The I Want To Share Foundation Charity Gala Illuminates Hope
IWTS: Filling Their World With Sound
This significant collaboration highlights the commitment of both IWTS and Manila Hearing Aid to create opportunities for the children to reintegrate into society, opening doors to a world filled with sounds, connections, and possibilities.
Each hearing aid costs around Php 30,000 to Php 80,000, and IWTS remains dedicated to funding these vital apparatuses for indigent survivors as part of its various survivorship and early detection projects. This is made possible through community support, most apparent in the successful fundraising projects of the organization, like its charity gala.
“We are giving them hope and a new beginning. The impact of our 2023 first charity gala cannot be understated,” Romero explained. “Thanks to the generosity of friends who supported, the proceeds from that evening have not only made today’s celebration possible but have also supported the heart of our foundation’s work.” During the inaugural gala, the IWTS was able to raise Php 24 million for continued assistance to their beneficiaries.
A Mission Filled With Milestones
The mission of helping those grappling with cancer is a particularly personal one for Romero, who is now cancer-free after a harrowing period of dealing with the illness, and has made it a life mission to help as many cancer patients as she can. In February 2024, IWTS celebrated its third CAN BEAT IT graduation ceremony, where 150 children celebrated the end of their chemotherapy journey—a small part of the estimated 4,500 children that the organization assisted throughout their healing journeys.
Accreditation from the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital—a leader in the global approach to understanding, treating, and conquering childhood cancer and other life threatening diseases—is another recent milestone and crucial step in IWTS’ mission, giving it worldwide recognition and affirming its status as a trusted foundation.
“It’s a badge. We’re the first organization in the Philippines to be accredited by St. Jude [Children’s Research Hospital] as a foundation that champions the fight against childhood cancer,” Romero expresses in a press interview. “Because of this, other foundations in America will be more willing to collaborate and fund projects. I already have plans of holding a gala in America to continue raising funds, and there are many Filipinos in the U.S. who are excited and willing to help.”
A Brighter Future For Cancer Patients
As the foundation looks to the future, exciting initiatives are on the horizon. IWTS plans to present a childhood cancer helpline in an upcoming meeting with Secretary Herbosa of the Department of Health. The helpline will serve as a crucial resource for families navigating the complexities of pediatric cancer care.
In addition, IWTS will be funding training for barangay health workers to aid in early detection and diagnosis, thereby improving the overall survival rate of children with cancer. The IWTS is also thrilled to announce the construction of a new bone marrow transplant wing at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), which is set to begin in January 2025, enhancing the facilities available for children undergoing critical treatments.
Then in September 2025, which marks Cancer Awareness Month, IWTS will hold its second charity gala, following the success of 2023’s event. This gala will support renovations for the PGH Halfway House, ensuring that children awaiting surgery will have a safe place to stay.
Together, the I Want To Share Foundation and its partners are championing the cause of childhood cancer, giving hope and healing to those who need it most.
To learn more about I Want To Share Foundation, their projects, and how you can help, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through this link.
Photos courtesy of IWTS Foundation.
