In observance of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) College of Nursing, through its Master of Arts in Nursing (MAN) program, launched a transformative health initiative on September 13, 2025, in Barangay Napo, Sto. Domingo, Ilocos Sur. The program aimed to confront the urgent need to address a global health challenge that affects more than 400,000 children each year, highlighting the importance of early detection, accessible resources, and collective efforts to improve survival rates and reduce childhood cancer mortality.
The program opened with a series of educational lectures aimed at raising awareness and equipping the community with vital knowledge on childhood cancer. The first session, “Understanding Childhood Cancer: From Risk to Resilience,” delivered by MAN student Jessy Bañaga and faculty organizer Dr. Bernardo Oliber Arde Jr., tackled cancer types, risk factors, warning signs, early detection methods, prevention strategies, and treatment approaches. This was followed by “Navigating Cancer Care: DOH Programs and Facilities,” presented by MAN student Andrea Janella T. Labuni and Dr. Epifania Marlene Purisima (faculty), which highlighted national and local Department of Health (DOH) initiatives, available support systems, and accessible pathways for subsidized treatment.
To promote unity and reduce stigma, the Nursing Student Organization (NSO) led a series of energizer games that brought the community together in a spirit of camaraderie. Beyond awareness, the event emphasized tangible support through the turnover of essential health equipment—including blood pressure monitors, thermometers, and glucometers—to the Barangay Health Committee. MAN students further extended assistance by distributing hygiene kits, while the NSO provided school supplies to children, ensuring that both health and education needs of families were addressed.
The ceremony concluded with Barangay Captain Candido Quinto delivering heartfelt closing remarks, recognizing UNP’s “relentless dedication to uplifting rural healthcare and empowering communities through education and service.”
This initiative reflects UNP’s unwavering commitment to advancing global health efforts. By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) specifically SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, the program demonstrates how academic institutions, local leaders, and health agencies can work together to create meaningful, sustainable change in childhood cancer prevention and care.
Article by Rizza Abinsay
