A cancer support group was formed in Negros Oriental to mark the celebration of the World Cancer Day, and in response to the call of Gov. Emilio Macias II, a doctor by profession, to help cancer-afflicted persons, Judith Alpuerto of the Provincial Planning and Development Office said yesterday.

She said a training called “Helping Endeavor and Affective Relationship Training” or HEART was attended by 15 participants composing the multi-sectoral core group.

A report from the Provincial Health Office showed that cancer of all kinds has been the third leading cause of mortality in the province from 2001 to 2006.

During the training, Dr. Betty Calderon-Talaver, president of the Kahayag volunteer group, was the lead trainer together with Drs. Buenaventura Ramos, Jr. of Cebu and Honey Sarita Abarquez of SMILES in Davao .

The 15-member core group is composed of Judith Vailoces of the PHO, Rosevilla Russel of DOH, Dr. Chelsea Cacaldo - Community Primary Hospital , Dr. Ma. Lucille - Inapoy Community Primary Hospital, Bethel Sambon - Provincial High School in Mabinay, Provincial Population Program Officer Jeanette Villarubia, Social Welfare Officer III Laume Quijote, Valencia SB Secretary Ma. Celeste Cata-al, Evangeline Nalam, Josephine Quisay and Mila Tapanan of Kababayen-an Buhata!, Evangeline Cabual - Bayawan City Social Welfare and Development Office, Judith Alpuerto, and Community Organizer in Guihulngan City Jerry Alpuerto.

The Department of Health Region 7, in coordination with the Kahayag Network of Cancer Support Groups in Cebu and the Bantay Banay Network, also conducted a two-day training early this month at Baybayon Beach Resort in Sibulan, Negros Oriental.*MA

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