KINDNESS heals.

Like a miracle drug, an act of benevolence can help any patient take a step towards wellness. The Cancer Treatment and Support Foundation, Inc. (CTSFI) is well aware of this, having been blessed with sponsors who ensure its noble mission of supporting cancer patients continues unhampered.

The CTSFI is a non-stock, non-profit group in the Philippines that now has 11 programs which assist and subsidize the treatment, particularly, the chemotherapy, of cancer patients.

The CTSFI started twenty three years ago. It was started by Dr. Amy Dy and Dr. David Dy — both empathy-driven, passionate doctors considered as the greatest blessings to cancer patients and their families.

Dr. Amy literally started helping her patients buy their medicines through her meager salary as a pediatric resident physician 40 years ago.

Dr. Amy is a silent saint in a white robe. One of, if not the top pediatric oncologist in the country, she has cured countless of kids with cancer and brought unimaginable joy to their grateful parents.

Her treatment tools: a brilliant mind, extradordinary healing hands and a heart that never stops spreading hope.

Dr. Amy realized the agony and financial burden of cancer patients in 1981 during her clinical clerkship as a 4th year medical student.

“In 1981, I experienced my first intensive exposure to patients in the PGH wards, not only listening to their medical symptoms but also delving into their personal and family histories,” the executive director of CTSFI told the Journal.

Dr. Amy said she witnessed, heard and felt the burden of poverty among her patients, young and old alike, which left a disturbing effect on her.

While working as a resident physician in General Pediatrics in PGH, she realized that some patients with early stage cancer can be cured if they complete the treatment protocol.

Sadly, many of her patients were left alone in misery by loved ones mainly due to lack of funds.

Dr. Amy silently started buying medicines for her patients from her then small income. Like manna from heaven, this helped some bridge the gaps in their chemotherapy.

“I did it one child at a time, and I saw for myself that helping them finish their treatment resulted in literally saving their lives,” she recalled.

Fast forward to 1990, the members of Dr. Amy’s selfless and passionate tribe had multiplied.

Doctors Amy and David Dy started subsidizing the chemotherapy of some patients with cancer, mostly children.

Seventeen years later, the couple registered the CTSFI with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The foundation was mostly self-funded for over two decades.

As of 2025, the number of programs CTSFI provides to cancer patients has expanded to 11. All these selfless endeavors aim to increase the patients’ chances of full recovery and a return to normal lives.

Dr. Amy — the Good Samaritan who started helping cancer patients several years before becoming a full-fledged doctor — has so far helped over 6,000 patients and families, mostly children.
Dr. Amy achieved this with the aid of relatives, friends and a few corporations. She and her team were able to do this through the 11 programs of CTSFI.

These programs support children with cancer via immune booster and nutrition care programs. Other undertakings include providing cancer medicines, floating libraries, and caring for the young patients’ families as well as health workers.

Last June 21, 2025, CTSFI honored the compassionate people and organizations who had ensured the sustainability of its programs. They include Huat Beng Ooi, Leah May L. Panisales, Herbert D. Yu, Lily P. Yu, Zenaida L. Chingkiat, Winston Chingkiat, Joel R. Lopez, Jean Maricar S. Lopez, Shirley B. Sanders, Robert H. Carmack, Noemi H. Carmack, Marilou H. Sembrano, Candids Patrice A. Reyes, Maria Rachelle Caparas-Pineda, Raymond Pineda, Ramon Alger P. Obias, Rhodora L. Obias, Jose Miguel G. Jimenez, Jeannie M. Jimenez, Fernando C. Zuñiga, Mary Ann Y. Zuñiga, Children International Philippines, Lions Club, International District 301-A2, MedInfinity Inc. and Simply Nature International Inc.

Having helped numerous cancer patients to survive, Dr. Amy said she and Dr. David as well as their team are more inspired to continue reaching out to patients in need.

Despite their miraculous achievements, Dr. Amy revealed that CTSFI still has a grand ambition, one that would be considered a legacy to mankind.

“The foundation’s grand ambition is to build the first Pediatric Palliative Care Center in the country at the soonest possible time. Palliative care is a necessary additional layer of care for patients with complex and life-threatening illnesses, like cancer,” Dr. Amy enthused.

The center will be a sanctuary with a specialized compassionate approach to caring for patients, particularly children.

“It focuses not just on treating the illness, but on improving the quality of life for both the child and their family–physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually,” said Dr. Amy.

“We hope they will be able to rally donors to support this noble endeavor which will definitely transform lives,” she added.