Will You Help Cathy Run This Race?

Cathy is just short of 18 Donors to reach 100… I’d like to help her run this race…

I’ve always believed that, in life, there are no coincidences.

Last year, you helped me run a race for little Hannah Cordoviz. Together, through your generous support, we were able to raise the necessary funds to buy her a portable ventilator — allowing her to breathe safely even while asleep, tremendously improving the quality of her life.

This year, I am hoping and praying that you will help me run a race once again… This time, it’s to help improve the eyesight of 100 schoolchildren from Culiat Elementary School.

But first a little story…

My passion in advocating children’s health stems from my personal experience of having had a son born with a congenital heart disease and losing him 4 years later. His passing gave me the passion and the inspiration to help improve the living conditions of children who need medical help.

This year, it was my younger son who gave me the motivation to run this race.

On the day that I found out about the campaign to help improve the eyesight of public school children — a program under the umbrella of the Ateneo Center for Educational Development (ACED) — my 10-year-old was diagnosed with a slight lazy eye. It’s a correctable condition, but it has hampered his vision for 2 years now. He is an avid reader and has been wearing glasses. Recently, though, he started complaining about his vision in one eye. We thought his grade had just gone up, but much to our surprise, his lazy eye was detected. When I received the letter from ACED regarding its project, I felt a very strong tug in my heart.

As a result of the profiling of schools conducted by ACED, we have discovered that a number of public school children classified as non-readers or poor learners actually have poor eyesight. We would like to seek your help to provide a brighter future for an initial 613 children from 7 of our partner schools.

I knew right then that there was no coincidence when my son’s diagnosis and the plea for help both came on the very same day. Rather than wallow in sadness over his condition, I have decided to take up this cause and I hope you will partner with me in this endeavor.

100 for a Hundred

100 for a Hundred aims to raise 100,000 pesos by tapping 100 kind-hearted individuals to donate 1,000 pesos each to sponsor the cost of refraction, a pair of eyeglasses and a set of 4 books to be given to 100 children at Culiat Elementary School. The children’s ages range from 7 to 11 years old. Some of the children who need glasses are pictured here below.

Reading opens new worlds, and the gift of good eyesight is a life-long legacy that we can give to these children. Your contribution to this cause will go a very long way in helping them have a better future. More importantly, they will be so blessed in knowing that there are people out there who care enough to help make a significant difference in their young lives.

I will be running a 5K for these children on September 5, 2009 at the Mommy Marathon to be held at The Fort. Should you wish to donate 1,000 pesos/child for this cause, please send me a message here or email me at cathybabao@gmail.com.

Thank you so much for paying it forward. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you!

Sincerely,

Cathy