MANILA, Philippines – For children undergoing cancer treatment, care can extend beyond medicines and hospital procedures. Sometimes, it can also mean having the space to pick up a paintbrush, choose a color, and spend a few hours simply being a child. I.E. Medica, Inc., a leading pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, recently brought this idea to life through Art For Care, a corporate social responsibility initiative that provided pediatric cancer patients with opportunities to paint, express themselves, and enjoy creative moments away from the routines of treatment
Creating space for children to simply create
Art for Care was held across three sessions: September 4 at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC); September 11 at Museo Pambata, in partnership with the Philippine General Hospital (PGH); and September 15 with Little Arc Foundation, in partnership with the National Children’s Hospital (NCH).
At the heart of every activity was a simple invitation: create without limits. Given their own canvases and art materials, the children were encouraged to paint whatever inspired them. Their ideas came to life through colors, shapes, characters, and images inspired by the things they love and imagine. For a few hours, the focus shifted away from treatment schedules and hospital routines and toward something familiar to any child: making something of their own, sharing it with others, and having fun in the process. I.E. Medica employees also volunteered during the sessions, assisting the children with their artworks and spending time with them throughout the activities. Their participation turned the sessions into opportunities for connection and shared experiences between the volunteers and the young patients.
The initiative reflects I.E. Medica’s broader commitment to making healthcare more accessible and meaningful for Filipino patients–a commitment the pharmaceutical company has also been advancing through improvements in how essential medicines reach communities.
“Our work at I.E. Medica is part of AC Health’s broader vision of transforming health for every Filipino through an integrated ecosystem that addresses patients’ needs across different stages of their healthcare journey,” said Atty Yet Abarca, President and CEO of I.E. Medica, Inc. and Group CEO of AC Health Pharma.
“Each platform across AC Health plays a distinct yet complimentary role, from improving access to essential medicines to creating meaningful experiences that support patients beyond treatment,” she added.
Through the support of PCMC, PGH, NCH, Museo Pambata, Little Arc Foundation, and its employee volunteers, Art For Care brought healthcare partners and communities together around a shared purpose: giving children facing difficult circumstances the opportunity to experience creativity, connection, and moments of childhood. Because while faster access to medicines can make a difference in a patient’s healthcare journey, care can also be found in the smaller moments along the way–in a conversation, a shared activity, or even a blank canvas waiting to become something colorful.
To learn more about I.E. Medica, please visit https://www.iemedica.com.ph/.