Van Mark – Philippines
Van Mark’s Story
Van Mark Elisan, nicknamed “Vanvan”, was brought to WCF attention by the non-profit organization, CERV-Philippines. In 2007, a group of CERV workers encountered this engaging young man in a small village on the island province of Romblon. Thirteen years old and the fourth of seven children, Vanvan, was born with an encephalomeningocoele that has increased in size over time.
Vanvan’s father, a carpenter, and his mother, a daycare center teacher, could never afford to seek medical treatment for their son’s condition. The boy went to school intermittently, for his appendage impaired his vision and made it difficult for him to read books. In addition, he suffered from seizures.
One CERV volunteer, Mike Barnes of St. Joseph, Missouri, took upon himself the task of advocacy for Vanvan’s treatment. In the course of this, he contacted Winifred Rutenbar, WCF Family Care. Winifred assisted with the referral to Dr. Bernard
Tansipek of Philippine General Hospital, and Mr. Barnes, who contributed generously financially to Vanvan’s care, arranged for Vanvan and his mother to travel to Manila for the evaluation. Fortuitously, Dr. Salyer was in Manila at the time and was able to consult with Dr. Tansipek regarding the operation.
On May 29, 2008, Vanvan underwent corrective surgery for the encephalomeningocoele. The CERV newsletter reported:
“Upon regaining consciousness at the recovery room another three hours later, Vanvan’s first words were “I can see!” He was not blind, and the operation was not on his eyes. The boy was referring to the wonderful new
experience of stereo vision where the right eye can see with his left side and vice versa.”
Vanvan is one example of the children benefited by the newly developed craniofacial program at Philippine General Hospital. Currently, WCF is facilitating surgery for two other Philippino children with congenital encephalocoeles. These patients are Mary Joy Delquinon, 6 years old, from the island of Mindanao, and Jewel Ceniza, 5 months old, from Cebu. With financial assistance from WCF, Dr. Tanzipek and his team now have the resources to develop the Philippine General Hospital craniofacial program in order to treat patients who would otherwise go unserved.
The World Craniofacial Foundation is not alone in providing assistance to Philippino patients. WCF is supported by the Philippine Airlines Foundation, which generously donates air travel from the far corners of this archipelago nation; ChildHouse Manila, which provides free meals and lodging for indigent patients and their parents; and the wonderfully supportive Noordhoff Craniofacial Foundation, which assists with the many medical and non-medical expenses incurred in treating these patients.
