First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos recently graced the opening of the Philippine General Hospital’s (PGH) Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, a special center for cancer patients, the first of its kind in the country.

Situated in the PGH’s Right Central Block, the primary function of the center is to provide treatment for children with leukemia and other serious blood disorders.

“The most beautiful miracles often begin with kindness, compassion and hearts willing to help.”

“Grateful to witness the opening of the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the Philippine General Hospital,” the First Lady said on her official Facebook account. A bone marrow transplant (also called a stem cell transplant), usually done for patients with leukemia, replaces diseased or damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.

It is a rigorous process involving high-dose chemotherapy or radiation to eliminate unhealthy cells, followed by the infusion of healthy stem cells to regenerate a new functioning blood and immune system.

“For cancer patients, it offers renewed hope and the chance for more children to grow up healthy and simply enjoy being kids again. My heartfelt congratulations to the movers and shakers behind the I Want to Share Foundation, our dedicated healthcare workers, generous partners, donors and every kind soul whose vision and compassion made this possible,” she said.

“Your kindness will touch countless lives for generations to come,” she added.