CMM 2009 to Serve Davao
Planning for CMM 2009 to Davao City is underway. Jesse Pasion has assumed the role of US Coordinator and has started fundraising efforts.

CMM 2008CMM 2008 Volunteers Zambales, Philippines

“It was a mission of love, a mission of giving and a mission of hope. However, I hope that you find this mission disturbing. I sincerely wish that when you go back to the United States, the thing that stands out in your mind is the “disturbing” state of poverty of our kababayan.” Bishop Chito Tagle, our host in the Cavite Mission, states in his parting message to our volunteers in a
luncheon he gave in our honor. He continues saying “the state of misery of the poor is palpable, but in the midst of all these there is love...love of family, love of friends, and love of fellowmen. There’s also spontaneity, especially in the smiles of the Filipinos, particularly the children.” The bishop’s message was
poignant and brought tears to many of the volunteers.

As one of our dedicated volunteers intimated a few missions ago;“there’s no expiration date on HOPE.” We feel that although we cannot heal everyone, and we cannot provide a lasting state of good health to the Filipinos we serve, we at least give them hope. We let them know that we care and although sometimes it’s not enough, it is at least something.

This year, CMM celebrates 15 years of service to the Philippines. We celebrated with a reception at DAD’s where we invited all volunteers, past and present. We had a great response with over 60 in attendance. Then during one of our breakfast in Zambales, we surprised our very own Anita Ng with a “toasting”’ honoring her 15 years of service to the Mission. Several volunteers; doctors, nurses, lay folks, spoke of their experience with Anita. They spoke of how she had inspired them and continues to do so. They spoke of her tenacity, commitment and selfless dedication to CMM.

We served two venues this year; Zambales and Cavite. Our US
Coordinators; Jesse Farrales, Linda Lazo and Aida Fanugao for
Zambales and Merly Pascual for Cavite, worked very hard in making
CMM 2008 a success.

2008 Statistics
San Narciso, Zambales, Philippines
Pediatrics	654
Dental	758
Adult Medicine	1149
Ophthalmologic	24
Surgical	104
Total number	2689
Imus, Cavite, Philippines
Pediatrics	1368
Dental	460
Adult Medicine	1323
Surgical	107
Total number	3255
Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
General Surgery	31
Bitas, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
General Surgery	9

CMM 2007
by Emma Dempsey

The joint medical surgical and dental missions (Jan. 22-25, 2007) served thousands of patients. They came from all the
hundreds of barangays in the province of Negros Oriental. This province is located in the Central Visayas. It occupies
the southeastern half of the island of Negros. Dumaguete City is the provincial capital. It was the ideal 2007 Carolina Medical Mission Venue because of its close proximity to airport and shipping ports, the hospital facilities, university settings and it is also the most populous city, despite having
the smallest land area. PAANC members Linda McGloin and Claire Rhoades, the co-chairpersons of this joint medical mission hailed from Negros Oriental.

We’re very grateful to our Dumaguete coordinator, Sister
Ma. Felicina Gubuan, SPC, Dean at the St. Paul University; Dr. Felix Sy, MD, Director of Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, NOPH Staff; Sister Gloria Ibalio, Order of Carmelites, director of Holy Child Hospital & HCH staff; the local volunteers (medical practitioners; allied health professionals; St. Paul Univ. and Silliman Univ. Nursing
Students; Hospital volunteer health professionals; relatives & friends of CMM coordinators) and the 67 Philippine- based and US volunteers, for giving their Godgiven Talent, Time and Treasures unselfishly. Thank you! The Mission was a huge success. YOU made it happen.

CMM 2007	Pedia	Adult	Total
Medical	2,228	2,490	4,718
Dental	143	488	631
Ophthalmology	8	32	40
General Surgery	39 Major	34 Minor	73

CMM 2006 Bohol

Bohol Mission 2006
by Anita and Fred Ng

After months of paper work, temporary hospital privileges and Department of Health permit were obtained for the 2006 Bohol
Mission. However, a month before the scheduled mission, we
were told that our date conflicted with another mission group. It just happened that one of the volunteers of that group was apparently a relative of the incumbent mayor. It’s unfortunate that political influences and nepotism could easily change and complicate the noble objectives of mission work.

The unexpected cancellation of our Hospital venue meant no general
surgery nor ophthalmology for the 150 pre-screened patients. We were
shocked by the news. However, our disappointment was short-lived.
The flexibility, determination and enthusiasm of the CMM team made the 2006 mission the most productive ever, in terms of the number of people served.

During the 4-day mission in Maribojoc, Bohol, the Carolina Medical
Mission treated over 4,000 patients (children, adults and elderly). The
people of Maribojoc received the health care they desperately needed.
The number of patients seen was exhausting but very rewarding
We met and bonded with new volunteers whose affirming words and
deeds kept us energized. New recruit Pediatrician, Melissa de Guzman
of Nueva Ecija wrote “Thank you (once again) for making me a part
of this “family”. ….I’ve never been with a group quite like yours. The
dedication, generosity, selflessness and sincerity you have shown to
those you don’t even know truly humbles me. You have touched people’s lives and I am grateful I was given the chance to be a little bit like you. You didn’t only touch me but you have left a permanent mark in my life I believe it is a miracle in itself that people like you still exist. I haven’t really figured it out how I could be more like all of you, but I guess I have to start with ‘whatsoever you do to the least of my brother, you do unto me’.”

Rosemary and Art De Leon had a nostalgic reunion with their classmate
of 40 some years, Dr. Gloria Tirol. Dr. Tirol helped during the medical
mission and served as a guide and toured the beautiful Bohol resort with
some CMM volunteers.

In spite of being denied a hospital venue, the surgeons were able to
perform 70+ minor surgery in a make-shift operating room at the local
health center. Other surgeons helped the medical team.
At the conclusion of the mission, we distributed surplus medical supplies to some of our medical volunteers to help with their respective mission work.

After the joint medical mission to Maribojoc, Bohol (Central Visayas)
the rest of our three month-stay in the Philippines was divided between
travel and surgical mission to six other venues.

Although mission work is hard, the experience is priceless. Not only do
we provide our expertise to those in need but hope as well. We always
return home physically and spiritually refreshed.

During the four day mission, we served a total of 4240 Boholanos.