Pacific Partnership Brings People Together to Help a Young Boy

By. Lt. Arwen Chisholm

Clarence Dacuycuy was watching the television in her home in Cotabato City when she saw a news program about the upcoming visit of the U.S Naval hospital ship Mercy (T-AH 19) to the Republic of the Philippines in support of Pacific Partnership 2008. She knew immediately that this was the chance for her to get some help for her 3 years old son, Jose Angelo.

Angelo suffers form Hischsprung’s disease, a disease that affects the colon. It causes constipataion and blockage in the intestine. If left untreated, stool can fill the large intestine causing infection, bursting of the colo, and even death.

On May 30, Dacuycuy took her son to a Pacific Partnership health screening held at Cotabato Regional Health Center in Cotabato City. At the screening, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Stephanie Kapfer, an orthopedic surgeon, knew immediately that he needed help.

“Upon exmination it was determined that he had some sort of bowel problem and I brought him on board the next day to see if we could provide some treatment., “ said Kapfer.

Angelo was brought aboard the Mercy for surgery. His mother was “excited, but nervous” at the prospect of surgery. “he is small for his age. I want him to grow up and be healthy and bigger,” said Dacuycuy, “but I have told him about the surgery and that I will be by his side.”

One difficulty with this surgery is the follow-on care that is required. Although Angelo requires two more surgeries for full recovery. That didn’t stop Kapfer from taking the first step.

“When I saw him I know immediately that this kid was sick and we had to do something, even if it was only the first step in what he ulitmately needed to be treated and be normal,” said Kapfer.

Angelo had been diagnosed over a year ago, however “due to family circumstances, the [Dacuycuy’s] were unable to get the surgery” Kapfer said.

When it was determined that Angelo could receive treatment aboard the Mercy, Kapfer called Dr. Lito Chio, Angelo’s pediatric surgeon from the Cotabato Regional Medical Center, and asked if he would like to join in the surgery. He agreed, and Kapfer and Chio performed surgery on Angelo on June 3.

“It was great working with Dr. Choi. He is an excellent surgeon and has a lot of experience. In the operating room it was the normal surgeon to surgeon banter and academic discussion” said Kapfer.

 After the surgery Dacuycuy was “very excited” to see her son healthier. “he is more playfull now, much improved. He is restless and wants to go home. He misses his brother very much.”

The important follow-on medical care is being provided by Dr. Chio with the assistance of Dr. Andy de Rossi of the 3P Foundation. 3P Foundation is a non-governmental organization which uses humanitarian assistance to promote peace and prosperity among the most disadvantaged sectors of Philippine society.

“3P Foundation will make a donation to Cotabato General Hospital and in return they will make Angelo’s operations possible” said de Rossi.

Not only is 3P Foundation helping with the follow-on medical care, deRossi is also going to get the father a job,” currently he doesn’t have a job and he needs one to support his family and make sure that Angelo has a healthy recovery.”

When the family thanked deRossi, he explained, that,  “this help is made possible by the people of the United States, I am just a messenager.”

Angelo is currently aboard the Mercy recovering for surgery. His mother is very thankful to Pacific Partnership and the crew of the Mercy for his new found health, “ it is because of the staff of the Mercy that Angelo is good.”The cooperation between U.S. navy medicine, a local health care provider and a non-governmental organization to save Angelo’s life demonstates the spirit of Pacific Partnership 2008.