In a culture where birthdays are often marked by personal indulgence, Anna Donita S. Tapay has chosen a different path, turning her special day into a lifeline for the needy. As a dedicated partner of the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation, Tapay celebrated her birthday and the foundation’s 9th anniversary with an extraordinary act of kindness: a comprehensive medical mission. Through her innovative project, Hospital on Wheels, she provided essential healthcare services—including major surgeries, dental check-ups, and eye examinations—to those who need them most.
Tapay’s unwavering commitment to the underprivileged is exemplified by her efforts to ensure holistic transformation. “We won’t only stop by feeding them, by giving them education but also we want to provide a good quality of service in the form of medical, optical, and dental services,” she stated passionately. This mission aligns perfectly with the foundation’s broader goals of providing comprehensive support to the poor. In the days leading up to the medical mission, Tapay also organized a feeding program, providing nutritious meals to those in need. This initiative ensured that the community was well-fed and in good health, paving the way for the success of the medical mission.
The Hospital on Wheels, one of Tapay’s key projects, served as the centerpiece of the celebration. The mobile unit, staffed by 60 to 70 doctors, offered a range of medical services to the homeless and underserved communities. The mission was made possible through Tapay’s generous sponsorship. On the day of the medical mission, the following services were provided: 199 surgeries, 175 medical consultations, 101 dental check-ups, 105 vision screenings, and 27 basic life support seminars. In total, 607 patients were served within that day. This extraordinary initiative not only provided critical healthcare services to the foundation’s beneficiaries but also reached out to the residents in the surrounding area. By doing so, Tapay’s mission created a ripple effect of compassion and support, transforming lives and fostering a sense of community among the most vulnerable. Her dedication turned a simple birthday celebration into a beacon of hope and care for those in dire need.
In addition to the Hospital on Wheels, the Arnold Janssen Kalinga Foundation and Ms. Tapay continue to run several other vital programs. “We have other ongoing projects like Oplan Birthright, Kasalang Bayan, and Binyagang Bayan, all of them beneficial for the homeless because those are the primary needs of a human being,” Tapay explained. Her dedication to holistic support for the poor reflects the foundation’s commitment to addressing the multifaceted needs of the disadvantaged.