The Philippines has taken a major step in expanding access to specialized pediatric cancer care with the opening of the country's first charity Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH).
The new facility, inaugurated through a partnership between the I Want To Share Foundation (IWTS) and PGH, is expected to provide free or subsidized bone marrow transplant services to children battling leukemia and other life-threatening blood disorders. The unit is located at the Right Central Block of PGH and will be operated by the hospital's Cancer Institute.
Bone marrow transplantation remains one of the most effective treatments for many pediatric blood cancers, but its high cost has placed the procedure beyond the reach of many Filipino families. The new charity unit aims to bridge that gap by making life-saving treatment more accessible to children from underserved communities.
Designed for Safe and Specialized Care
The facility was built to meet the unique requirements of pediatric bone marrow transplant patients, whose immune systems become extremely vulnerable during treatment.
According to the I Want To Share Foundation, the unit features four specialized transplant rooms equipped with strict infection-control measures, including HEPA-filtered air systems and carefully designed layouts that help minimize the risk of infection while allowing healthcare workers to provide efficient care. Once fully operational, the facility is expected to benefit more than 600 children who require bone marrow transplantation.
A Partnership Bringing Hope to Families
Sheila Romero, founder and chairperson of the I Want To Share Foundation, said the project reflects the organization's commitment to giving children with cancer a better chance at survival through quality and affordable treatment.
Dr. Patricia Alcasabas, chair of the PGH Cancer Institute, emphasized that strengthening pediatric cancer care requires close collaboration among hospitals, government agencies, private organizations, and donors. She said partnerships such as this help expand access to advanced treatments while improving outcomes for young patients.
The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit forms part of IWTS' broader efforts to support children with cancer, which also include patient assistance, survivorship programs, medical equipment donations, and initiatives aimed at improving early diagnosis and treatment across the country.
