In a country where cancer remains the second leading cause of death after heart disease, a new initiative by JCI Manila is stepping forward with urgency and compassion. According to the Department of Health, around 190,000 cancer cases are recorded nationwide each year, with approximately 115,000 deaths.

During a recent briefing, JCI Manila reminded stakeholders that behind every cancer statistic is a family disrupted, a livelihood strained, and a future placed on hold. The global non-profit organization is focused on addressing problems across all levels of society through professional development, economic opportunities, and creative solutions.

From February to August 2026, JCI Manila’s Care for Life project will bring together medical professionals, civic leaders, and global partners to deliver a comprehensive cancer awareness, screening, treatment, and psychosocial support program in Baseco, City of Manila and at Perpetual Help in Las Piñas City.

The project is inspired by JCI Manila’s leadership theme and guiding principle this 2026 called LEAD BEYOND. More than a theme, LEAD BEYOND is a commitment to develop leaders who serve with purpose today and shape a better future for generations to come.

JCI Manila Local Organization President Edison Ke shared that “the LEAD BEYOND principle guides the Board to lead with integrity and purpose, ensuring that every initiative goes beyond the expected, beyond the limit, and beyond the next generation.”

President Ke added that “JCI Manila empowers its members to go beyond the limit by breaking barriers and embracing change, while leading beyond the next generation by building sustainable solutions and lasting legacies.”

Cancer’s Hidden Toll on Filipino Families

Spearheaded by Project Chairman Chuck Alvarez and Vice-Chairman Levy Macaraig, and supported by partner institutions including the DOH, the Care for Life project aims to reach 1,000 direct beneficiaries and impact up to 5,000 individuals indirectly.

Speaking about the challenge to be addressed by the project, Alvarez said studies showed cancer not only attacks the body but also destabilizes entire households.

“In low-income and rural communities, a diagnosis often means lost wages, overwhelming hospital bills, and emotional exhaustion. Parents are forced to choose between earning for the family and caring for a sick child. Adults awaiting surgery delay life-saving procedures simply because funding falls short,” added Alvarez.

Metro Manila continues to face high incidences of lung, colorectal, prostate, breast, and cervical cancers. Pediatric cases, though less discussed, carry devastating emotional weight. For families already struggling financially, access to screening and early detection can mean the difference between survival and loss.

A Four-Pronged Approach to Care

JCI Manila’s Care for Life project is built on four strategic pillars designed to address cancer from awareness to aftercare:

Leg 1: Online Symposium (February 2026)

An online cancer awareness lecture will equip general practitioners and barangay health workers with updated knowledge on early-stage detection and referral systems. Strengthening frontline health workers ensures earlier diagnosis and faster intervention.

Leg 2: Community Symposium and Medical Screening (March 2026, Baseco, Manila)

An in-person awareness event will focus on colorectal cancer, family cancer awareness, and early detection. The day will include medical screenings such as: Cervical cancer screening, clinical breast examination, Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) testing, pediatric initial screening through CBC and physical exam.

Patients with suspicious findings will be referred to partner hospitals in Manila, with medicines provided through the Yaman ng Kalusugan Program (YAKAP), PhilHealth’s enhanced, expanded primary care benefit package aimed at increasing access to healthcare, lowering out-of-pocket costs, and strengthening preventive, early-detection services for all Filipinos.

Leg 3: Treatment Support (June–July 2026, Perpetual Help)

Pre-determined patients will undergo tumor surgeries. While benign tumors will be addressed for multiple qualified patients, two to three malignant cases—already staged and scheduled—will receive financial support for surgery. Patients requiring chemotherapy will be referred for additional fundraising assistance.

Leg 4: Post-Support and Psychosocial Care (July–August 2026)

Healing extends beyond the operating room. Pediatric patients and their families will receive psychosocial care under Angel of Hope programs, while adult survivors will benefit from mental health initiatives and livelihood support partnerships.

Global Partnerships, Local Impact

JCI Manila explained that international collaboration will strengthen the project’s reach. JCI Tokyo will lead a donation campaign in Japan to fund cancer test kits and surgeries, alongside hosting a joint Pediatric Cancer Awareness Forum at the JCI World Congress in August.

Locally, partnerships with Perpetual Help, Manila Doctors, TESDA, and civic organizations ensure that screening leads to real treatment, and treatment leads to restored dignity.

Beyond Medicine: Mind, Body, and Soul

The Care for Life project goes beyond clinical intervention. Its objectives focus on three pillars:

Mind, supporting patients and families emotionally while raising awareness to reduce fear and stigma.

Body, improving health outcomes through accessible screening, surgery, and medical care.

Soul, restoring hope and dignity through community engagement and psychosocial support.

In communities like Baseco, where access to preventive healthcare is limited, early detection saves not only lives but also futures. By shifting from general tumor support to targeted malignant care and stronger referral systems, the Care for Life project seeks measurable, sustainable impact.

JCI Manila said and explained that the Care for Life project is not just a medical mission; it is a collective response to suffering. Through donation campaigns, sponsor-a-patient programs, corporate partnerships, and international collaboration, the project invites individuals and organizations to take part in changing the cancer narrative in vulnerable communities.

For more information, visit https://jcimanila.org/.