Medical Missions
Through the Years:

1999
Guimba, Nueva Ecija

2000
Magdalena, Laguna

2001
Barangay Ugong, Pasig

2002
Santa Maria, Bulacan

2003
Guimba, Nueva Ecija

2004
Malolos, Bulacan

2005
Sagay City,
Negros Occidental

2006
Sariaya, Quezon

2007
San Carlos City,
Negros Occidental

2008
Santa Cruz, Laguna

2009
Guimba, Nueva Ecija

Medical Mission
The FILAMemphis medical mission is dedicated to uplifting the health and economic conditions of the poor by providing active, competent, medical and surgical interventions in a caring manner sensitive to the culture of the people.

FUNDING
For the most part, medical missions are funded by generous donations of Filipino-Americans in the Memphis area. Local hospitals such as St. Francis Hospital and Methodist South Hospital have donated much needed medical equipment and surgical instruments. Rothrock Drugs in Blytheville, Arkansas donates medicine bottles. Local biotech representatives donate their services to repair equipment. Local Filipino MDs, RNs and hospital staff donate boxes of drug samples and surgical supplies. FILAMemphis plans fundraising events for the medical mission. Christmas Caroling and the Christmas Ball have helped support past missions. Although these projects helped fund a fraction of the annual mission expenses, team members are still actively solicitng the much needed tax-deductible contributions.

HISTORY
The first FILAMemphis medical mission was organized in 1999 and was held in the the town of Guimba, Nueva Ecija in the Philippines. Since then, a medical mission has been held annually to different depressed areas in the Philippines. Neither international terrorism nor SARS have deterred the spirit and stopped the team members in continuing their scheduled mission during those troubled years.

SERVICES OFFERED:

• Free Clinic Adult & Childen
• Minor Surgery: Circumcision/cyst Excision
• General Surgery: Goiter removal, Hernia Repair, Gall Bladder removal
• Plastic Surgery: Cleft lip/palate repair
• Eye Surgery: cataract Surgery, Pterygium removal

VOLUNTEER INFO
Volunteers come from all walks of life. We have physicians and nurses, but the majority of team members are lay people. You will be pleasantly surprised at what you can accomplish.  To touch other people and make a difference in their lives is truly priceless. Past volunteers came Louisiana, California, in addition to Tennessee and the Philippines. Missions are held Monday through Friday in a government hospital or in a designated town hall. Volunteers are responsible for their travel expenses but once they are in the Philippines, the host town takes care of it including accommodations. Meals and entertainment are usually provided by the host town although this is not mandatory.

SITE SELECTION
Application for a mission  to be held in one particular place is submitted to the president of FILAMemphis through a local member. The petition or application must be signed bhy the town mayor, municipal helath officer, provincial governor or the president of a nonprofit organization. When a petition is filed, it will be the responsibility of the host or sponsor from the Philippine town to provide the volunteers with local transportation, accommodation and security. The petition is presented to the FILAMemphis Officers and Board of Directors  for final decision. For more information, contact:

FILAMemphis Medical Mission
Dr. Ed Cabigao, Medical Director
2221 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
901.276.6748
educabigao@aol.com