I Support Real Love Campaign

Childhood cancer is one of the contributing factors and leading causes of mortality in the Philippines. Most common childhood cancer types include leukemia, brain tumor, sarcoma, lymphoma, liver, and kidney.

At present, survival rates are relatively low due to lack of education, prevention consciousness, later consultation, funding and support. Childhood cancers cannot be avoided and most causes are still unknown. The fact that childhood cancer is different from the factors that affect and may trigger cancer in adults, it's infrequently a genetic condition.

Back in 2003, my lola (who helped my mother in sending her in elementary and high school) was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and suffered from the illness for years. I still remember, everytime we visit the province, she always gives me a reddish tomato and insisting it's an apple but actually it's not. As to care, I'm a child then by that time so never mind and I will never forget it.

I learned a lot during those days and must take care with the life I'm having today. Though it's truly different from childhood cancer, it's about fighting the disease, the same pain, same treatment (chemotheraphy, radiation, and surgery), and surviving life.

Kythe

Kythe Foundation, a non-profit organization committed with the mission to support, provide psycho-social assistance, and make every children with cancer happy and enjoy life despite of their illness through Child Life Program.

“Because children should be flying kites, not fighting cancer.” As Kythe's phrase goes, it's about a well-built advocacy that will definitely help the child in striving to fight life and cope with the anxiety that cancer caused.

In partneship and willingness to share the cause, Kythe and Unilever Foodsolutions together with their operators will set an outreach programs that cater activities such as fun sandwich making made of healthy ingredients and Lady's Choice and Best Foods mayonnaise, also with arts, crafts, workshop and storytelling sessions with the kids. Again, it's about learning and making them fun.

How to show real love and care to support the cause? Support by liking Real Love Facebook page and share it to your family and friends. I'm too sure it'll never hurt your time. For every "like", Unilever Foodsolutions will donate one Real Love sandwich to pediatric cancer patients until it reaches 10,000 fans in Kythe's partner hospitals. A thousand page likes is equivalent to a 1000 healthy sandwiches. There's no limit, so spread the cause to those who are willing and like to help.

Unilever Foodsolutions has partnered with Team Manila and designed a limited edition campaign shirt which will be available in Team Manila outlets in Rockwell, SM Mall of Asia, Trinoma and on their website.

The collaboration shirt's retail price is Php 550.00 pesos and are available for both men and women in various sizes. Part of the sale proceeds will then serve as Kythe Foundation's fund to continue its goal and mission.

1. Like the Real Love Campaign and Kythe on Facebook.

2. Simply complete this sentence: “I will share my love to the kids of Kythe by __________________ .”

Post your answer just by dropping it in the comment section.

This is a week long contest (October 07 - 14, 2010) and valid only to anyone residing in the Philippines. On the 15th of October, the best answer will win and get one Real Love shirt.

Thanks much to Miss Janette Toral, who invited me to help out about this project and first showed Real Love for Children with Cancer.

Join us and support Real Love Campaign. Make a difference and give back something to the community. Spread the love today!

For more information on how you can help Kythe Foundation, visit their official website at http://www.kythe.org. Also you may contact Unilever Foodsolutions by sending them an email through foodsolutions.philippines@unilever.com and or via phone call at (1-800)588-8855.