Game KNB? and ‘Give a Life’

On Game KNB? I’ve had the privilege of being exposed to many charitable, religious and educational foundations and institutions. After a year and a half on the air, we’ve managed to give showcases and cash donations (all celebrities who play on Game KNB? donate 100 percent of their winnings to their chosen charities) to more than 100 institutions. In a big way I attribute the longevity and success of our program because of all the lives we have managed to give renewed hope to. Of all these organizations, one that has really struck a chord with me is the "Give a Life" project.

Before our show celebrated our first anniversary in October of last year, three players had attempted to give their showcase to "Give a Life", and unfortunately none of them proved successful. By the time the third player had fallen, I was feeling rather guilty and I said that the "Medical Assistance Showcase" meant for "Give a Life" I would shoulder the cost, specifically by giving the salary I was meant to receive for that episode we’d just taped.

In December of 2002, through "Make a Wish" foundation and also through "Smart Amazing Dreams," the holiday season television promo I hosted for Smart Communications, I again came into contact with Dr. Philip Cruz, "Give a Life’s" chief proponent. Smart was able to donate P500,000 to "Give a Life" because they had promised to give a charitable organization 50 percent of whatever a studio player had managed to win.

I’m writing this article in the hope that letting more people know about the good that "Give a Life" is able to do will encourage more people to help them.

"Give a Life" specifically helps the sick and dying children at the Pediatric Wards of PGH. The children aren’t given adequate health care they need and deserve because of a lack of money. The doctors offer their professional services for free. But the parents of the sick children have to shoulder the cost of the medical supplies, use of medical equipment, and most importantly the cost of medicines. The kids are not given a fighting chance to survive because they are poor.

"Give a Life" through generous donors, patrons, and corporations aids these children by providing life-saving medicines and hospital equipment for the Pediatric Wards of PGH. This humanitarian project was launched just last Aug. 1, 2002. I quote from a newsletter from "Give a Life" that I requested to be faxed to me, "there is much to do but the cycle of caring and kindness has been put into motion".

It seems fated that "Give a Life" would have a special place in my heart because it was on Aug. 1, 2001 that my son Josh suffered from a freak vehicular accident when his right thigh was run over by our own vehicle. It is a miracle that he suffered only external injuries, with no broken bones. My son could have been paralyzed for life, or even worse had the injury been near his pelvic area, it could very well have been fatal.

I am blessed because my mom made sure that Josh got the very best health care, she being the first to have reached Josh at the Emergency Room. My second cousin Dr. George Canlas is a foremost orthopedic and sports medicine practitioner. The doctors and staff of St. Luke’s Hospital where Josh was confined really gave him solicitous attention. Josh even had a male nurse looking after him for nearly six months after his accident.

My mom would always remind me that we have to help other kids, especially those who are ill, who don’t have the financial resources that we were blessed with. That would be the best way for us to show the Lord how grateful we were for His shielding Josh from worse harm. When I heard about "Give a Life" it really struck me as a truly worthwhile charitable organization to support.

"Give a Life" has a hotline to facilitate donations. The number is 899-1000. They also have an account in Banco de Oro. The account’s name is Give a Life and the account number is 043-0071418.