Transforming Lives One Visit at a Time: Celebrating 100,000 Patient Visits

 

 

Regular hospital visits play a vital role in maintaining health, identifying concerns early, and ensuring that patients receive the care they need. For many families, a hospital visit can feel overwhelming, whether it’s a routine checkup, a specialist consultation, or a surgical appointment. For children with treatable conditions, these visits can be life-changing. A hospital appointment provides access to expert medical teams and world-class treatments. Taking that step through the hospital doors is often the beginning of a journey toward healing and hope.

Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital has been serving families for over 11 years. Established in 2014, CURE Philippines performs over 2,000 life-changing reconstructive plastic and orthopedic surgeries, as well as certain other pediatric surgeries, each year for children with treatable disabilities. The hospital caters to conditions like clubfoot, bone deformities, cleft lip and palate, pediatric hernias, as well as disabilities following chronic burn contractures. In addition to world-class clinical service, the hospital’s ministry attends to the emotional and spiritual needs of patients and their communities.

On May 13, 2026, CURE Philippines celebrated its 100,000th patient visit since inception- a milestone that attests to each important hospital appointment our patients have undergone. In his opening message, CURE Philippines Executive Director Peter Cowles happily shared the meaning of this milestone, saying, “This milestone signifies that we have continually served the community 100,000 times, whether it is in the clinic, in surgery, or a simple procedure.” “We thank you (our staff) for also making this milestone possible,” he added. The highlight of the celebration was welcoming a very special patient.

Mark Cirilo’s Story

 

Mark Cirilo, a 16-year-old boy born with bilateral clubfoot, is Anna Marie’s second of three children. We met the mother and son on a mobile screening just two hours away from the hospital. Aside from his clubfoot, Mark Cirilo was born with another congenital disability that delayed his treatment. Anna and her husband, a pedicab driver, a three-wheeled, human-powered vehicle used for hired transport, did not have enough money to treat their son consistently.

In school, Mark Cirilo was constantly bullied by his peers. “They told me I walked funny, that’s why I did not have friends when I was younger. They bullied and teased me so much that I almost did not graduate from grade school,” he tearfully shared. “I would cry in secret and tell myself that their words are just words and it can’t hurt me physically,” he added. His teachers would call Anna Marie and tell her what was happening when the teacher would step out of class and would bully Mark Cirilo. “As a mother, it was so painful to know he was experiencing all these things, Anna Marie shared with pain in her eyes.

Mark Cirilo felt so hopeless because he could not escape all the negative noise around him. It also affected his view of the future. He was afraid that, when the time came, he would not find a job because people would judge his capabilities because of his clubfoot. “For the longest time, I’ve been asking God what happened to me. I did not hear his answer, and it came to the point where I wanted to see Him and ask Him myself in whatever means,” he sadly shared.

After all his hardships, Mark Cirilo finally arrived at the hospital and was celebrated as the hospital’s 100,000th patient. “We really did not expect any of this. We wanted to come here for Mark to get treated, and we were welcomed like this. We are very thankful!” Anna Marie happily shared. On the same day, he started his clinic consultation and clubfoot serial casting.

 

 

In his speech, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Eide Amparo shared the treatment plan for Mark Cirilos’ feet, saying, “All I can say is that we will do our best to change his life because it is our promise, my promise, to the Lord and my promise to do my best and help.” “Hopefully, we can see the changes and the progress of his treatment, and by the grace of God, we will change his life,” he added.

As Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital celebrates its 100,000th patient visit, the milestone represents far more than a number. It reflects 100,000 opportunities to bring healing and offer hope to children and families. Behind every patient visit is a story of courage, perseverance, faith, joy, and transformation—stories like Mark Cirilo’s, whose journey is only beginning.

 

 

This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication of the doctors, hospital staff, partners, donors, and supporters who have faithfully championed the mission of helping kids heal. As the hospital looks toward the future, the need remains great, with thousands more children across the Philippines still waiting for access to specialized treatment and compassionate care.

You can be part of the next 100,000 stories of hope. Whether through prayer, volunteering, advocacy, referrals, or financial support, your involvement can help ensure that more children receive the medical care they need and the opportunity to live fuller, healthier lives. Together, we can continue transforming lives—one child, one family, and one patient visit at a time.