'Bonus lives' share 'beautiful hearts'

MANILA, Philippines - Two non-government organizations, ran and supported by people living “bonus lives” following their heart operations held a medical mission last week giving free ECG (electrocardiogram) tests and heart medicine to people suspected to have heart problems in a slum area in Quezon City.

The Beautiful Heart Foundation, Inc. and the Kristiyano-Islam Peace Library founded by Anacleto Millendez and Armand Dean Nocum, respectively, gave free ECG, diabetes check-up and free clinic to about a hundred elderly and children living in a slum area in Barangay Holy Spirit, Quezon City.

“We see no better way of starting the celebration of the World Heart Month in February than by giving the gift of a good heart to poor people who are virtual walking time-bombs, like what me and Mr. Nocum were before our successful heart operations,” said US-based Millendez.

Millendez explained that as a US citizen, he was lucky because due to the health care program there, he only paid $5 (P214.5) for his second angioplasty. The usually expensive procedure involves the surgical repair of a blood vessel by inserting a balloon-tipped catheter to unblock it and the placement of micro wire mesh called stents to keep it open.

“Unfortunately, here in the Philippines people just drop dead from heart attack because they are too poor to have their hearts checked. When they do get to know their conditions and they are unable to raise the up to a million in funds needed for an angioplasty or bypass operation, they are just told to go home and live their final days well with family and friends,” said Nocum, who underwent an angioplasty operation to unblock five heart veins which were 99 percent closed at the Saint Luke’s Medical Center in 2010.

Still, Nocum – a public relations executive and a car dealer – said he counts himself lucky for the early diagnosis of the disease and for having the means for the operation.

Both Nocum and Millendez said they have embarked on their respective advocacies partly to thank God for their “bonus lives.”

“My heart may stop beating one day but the beautiful heart will live forever in men and women like you,” Millendez wrote in his website.

Millendez brought his portable ECG machine to the Kris Library headquarters in Barangay Holy Spirit to check on the condition of the people there. Those found with cardiac abnormalities were given medicine and advised to undertake further blood and cholesterol tests; and to change their lifestyle so as not to worsen their heart conditions.

Millendez also expressed alarm that a big number of people in the barangay are suffering from diabetes, which may also affect their heart and liver. Many children were also found to be malnourished.

Millendez was assisted by colleagues Susana Caseria, Vilma Ramos and Kris co-founder Annora Sahi Nocum, who is a nurse. All the three doctors promised to hold similar activities in different parts of the country soon.