Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital Celebrates Community Transformation in Bukidnon
The Philippines is currently comprised of 7,641 islands, of which about 2,000 are inhabited. Its strategic location provides an abundance of beautiful scenery, both land and water, suitable for promoting eco-tourism. However, these same benefits hinder people living in mountainous or rural coastal areas from accessing necessities such as education and healthcare. As Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital (Tebow CURE) pursues its mission of helping kids living in more remote areas heal, we are constantly doing our best to connect these communities to our desperately needed medical services.
Tebow CURE has intentionally been partnering with various local and provincial governments to reach children who would otherwise be unable to access life-transforming medical care. One of those provinces is Bukidnon in Mindanao. In Bukidnon, one of the first cities within the province to partner with Tebow CURE was the city of Malaybalay. During the community orientation and screening, Tebow CURE found there were large numbers of children with treatable disabilities from local barrios and barangays who didn’t have proper healthcare assistance due to economic and transportation barriers. With this need in mind, the local government unit partnered with Tebow CURE to provide transportation for these children to receive the needed medical attention at Tebow CURE in Davao City. To date, over 250 children with treatable disabilities have been seen by the Tebow CURE doctors and have received life-changing surgeries!
On December 7th, 2024, Tebow CURE returned to Malaybalay City to celebrate the International Day of People with Disability (IDPWD). The celebration included fun games, free ice cream, a lunch fellowship, and the distribution of gifts and books to the patients present. Every child and their guardian shared smiles and laughter throughout the program as they felt loved and accepted by everyone present.
MJ, a patient treated for left-bowed leg Malaybalay, and his mother, Loriza, attended the event. They both excitedly shared how happy they were with the healing MJ experienced. “MJ has changed so much. He is not ashamed to be himself. He now goes out for simple errands like buying shoes, and he now makes more friends than he did before. He now also runs, which he could not do before,” Loriza happily shared. “I buy shoes with my mom now because I can. I also go to school when it’s time for my exams. I am excited to walk to school and do more. Thank you so much to Tebow CURE,” MJ cheerfully added.
In another message, Ryah, a Tebow CURE cleft lip and palate patient, confidently shared how the hospital improved her life. “Tebow CURE truly feels like a gift from God. Because of my corrective surgery, I gained confidence and new friends. I am thankful for Tebow CURE and the extensive help they have provided me.” She also gladly shared that she will have her last surgery to correct her nose, a procedure she has been waiting for a long time.
LGU Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) Head Michelle Timones excitedly thanked the patients and the hospital for working hand in hand to help children with disabilities. “Handing out PWD (Persons With Disabilities) IDs has lessened. We don’t create IDs for children very often (anymore). Almost 250 kids did not receive the ID (this year) because they received life-changing surgeries from Tebow CURE instead. They have now undergone a total transformation thanks to Tebow CURE Children’s Hospital!” she shared.
Tebow CURE remains committed to its mission of reaching more children in need and ensuring that no child is left behind. The partnership with Bukidnon and many other provinces and cities is a step toward making quality healthcare more accessible to those in remote barangays and mountainous areas. As Tebow CURE continues its mission, it will continue working with local governments to expand its life-changing reach to more provinces in need. With the support of local partners and the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals, Tebow CURE will continue to offer children the chance to dream, play, and live their lives to the fullest—no longer defined by their disabilities but by their potential.
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