“Best friend”

“Best friend” is a term I rarely use since grade school days because the mere mention of it breaks my heart. Of all my grade school friends I deem one as a soul sister. You know, that friend whom you have the same hair pin or ribbon at school, who finishes your sentence like a psychic, one you keep secrets with, one whom you are absolutely excited to share experiences in life. My best friend was Felna San Diego, a pretty and witty girl that when you see her smile you’ll surely say she’s brimming with potential. Where is she now? She died of blood cancer before high school, right after our birthdays.

June is not a good month for me since I am reminded of her birthday and death anniversary that up to now my family includes her in all prayers and mass offerings. Its quite difficult to write this post since such stigma’s been between me and my family but it has to be shared as a another firm example of the plight of  children out there who do not go through the general perception of a happy childhood because they are undergoing a trial that even grown ups have difficulty facing. Field trips are replaced with hospital sessions, playground activities are limited indoors, basically enjoying life is stolen daily piece by piece.

Kythe’s Child Life Program

In reality we might unconsciously brush aside such concerns due to the daily grind but we can help through Kythe. Back in 1992, two psychology graduate students of Ateneo de Manila University, Maria Fatima Garcia-Lorenzo and Icar Castro, formed Kythe, a non – stock, non – profit corporation to provide psychosocial support to pediatric cancer patients. Their Child Life Program in partnership with Unilever Foodsolutions, helps alleviate the anxiety of pediatric patients and their families. It specializes in promoting optimum growth, development and helping Kythe’s kids cope with challenge of hospitalization.

How To Help With Real Love

Last weekend Ms. Janette told me about the Real Love Campaign outreach program wherein Unilever Foodsolutions uses Lady’s Choice and Best Foods mayonnaise, animal-shaped cutters and more healthy ingredients wherein the kids have fun preparing healthy food. Plus they also have storytelling sessions, arts, crafts and scrap-booking. I decided to help out through this post, my first blog contest.

Hand in hand Unilever Foodsolutions and Team Manila specially designed a limited-edition shirt (P550) which will be available in Team Manila outlets in Rockwell, SM Mall of Asia, Trinoma and online through its website wherein part of the proceed will go to Kythe Foundation.

Unilever Foodsolutions also has a Facebook page dedicated to the Real Love campaign. With every 1,000 “Like” entries until it reaches 10,000 fans, Unilever Foodsolutions will donate 1,000 sandwiches to the different Kythe partner hospitals.

I fervently hope you can join the Real Love campaign by liking the Facebook page or choose the Real Love shirt or both..be one of Kythe Foundation kids’  best friend now!

How To Help Plus Snag A Real Love Shirt

1. Like the Real Love Campaign on Facebook

2. Simply complete this sentence and post in your Facebook status, photo or blog post url: “I will share my love to the kids of Kythe by____________”

3. Post a comment in this blog post sharing the url of your Facebook status update, photo or blog post url

4. Winners need to be within the Philippines only

Announcement of  the winner of  a (1) Real Love shirt will be on *October 12, 2010..wait I’ll extend this so watch out on Oct. 13, 2010 for the winner!