Champions of Restoring Mobility: Sir Tony Veneracion and Manny Pacquiao's Dedication to Operation Walk 

Two prominent figures in General Santos City emerged as key figures in this life-changing medical mission: Sir Tony Veneracion, CEO of St. Elizabeth Hospital, and former Senator and 8 division world champion in boxing Manny Pacquiao. Their combined efforts and support created a lasting impact on everyone involved. 

As the CEO of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Sir Tony has dedicated his career to providing quality medical care for the patients in the Philippines. When the OpWalk LA leadership team approached Sir Tony about a medical mission last year, he quickly knew this opportunity would change the lives of those in need. With his extensive network and commitment to the community, he coordinated various departments, facilitated communication, provided staff (who worked tirelessly and took time out of their personal lives), and facilities to support the mission. St Elizabeth also generously sponsored all of our lunches, most of our team dinners, and provided transportation for our volunteers. Under Sir Tony's leadership, St. Elizabeth Hospital became the hub of the mission's activities. 

During the planning stages, Sir Tony was instrumental in helping us gather all our requirements to ensure the mission's success. Without his support and guidance, the mission would not have been possible. 

Known globally as a boxing legend, Manny’s influence extends beyond the boxing ring. His commitment to philanthropy has earned him the respect of millions of people around the world. When we discussed the plan for a medical mission with him several years ago, Manny saw it as an opportunity to give back to his hometown, General Santos City. 

The Mayor's welcome dinner was a grand affair, with city government officials and other dignitaries in attendance. Sir Manny’s presence elevated the event, and his heartfelt speech emphasized the importance of our mission. He spoke with conviction about the positive impact our work would have on the lives of those in pain from hip and knee diseases. He mingled with the volunteers, signed items, and took photos with everyone in attendance. 

The highlight of our mission was Manny’s visit to St. Elizabeth Hospital. He was eager to walk through and observe first-hand the impact of our mission on patients' lives. His genuine interest and involvement made a lasting impression on the patients, their families, the team, and the local community. 

He was extremely impressed with our teamwork and how the patients are able to regain mobility and walk the very same day. He spent quality time in the post-op wards, engaged with patients and the medical staff, observed the operating rooms, and visited the post-anesthesia unit. His charismatic presence and genuine compassion inspired everyone. 

Impressed by the dedication of our team and the results we achieved, Sir Manny's support went beyond words. He generously sponsored the entire cost of the hotel lodging for all 58 volunteers for the duration of the medical mission, ensuring our team was well-rested and comfortable. His hospitality didn’t end there; he invited us into his home and made us feel like family. The time he spent with us was invaluable, a testament to his commitment to our mission. 

Sir Tony Veneracion and Manny Pacquiao’s combined efforts transformed the lives of many people in the Philippines. Patients who had once suffered from hip and knee diseases found hope through the help of the entire team. 

We are happy to share an update on our patient, Jeffrey Busog. We first introduced our readers to Jeffrey and his wife Merly in our April newsletter. Jeffrey suffered from pain in his hip most of his life due to osteoarthritis. At just 41, life looked bleak. It was difficult for Jeffrey to continue at this job installing security cameras and to support his family. Through his wife’s diligence, they contacted OpWalk last January and team leader, Lisa Fujimoto connected the family with Saint Elizabeth Hospital. During our mission there, Jeffrey successfully received a hip replacement and a second chance at life. His wife updated us last week on his progress.

Good morning,

I have continuously thanked the team of Operation Walk LA for all they have done for us. My husband’s surgery was performed by Dr. Nate Heckmann. He was truly the best. As of today, day 6 post-surgery, he has no swelling nor violet color around his incision. Jeffrey can walk without pain. He told me the only pain he experiences is when he's lying down and getting out of bed.

This morning he tried walking without his crutch and walked successfully for around 35 seconds. He also began cooking again because that is one of his passions. Here at home, before his pain became too great, he was always the cook of the family. I reminded him if it hurt, he should stop but he finished cooking lunch for us and said he was okay. He’s gradually getting better and getting stronger.

He told me that up until now he couldn't believe he was actually operated on. He didn't believe it would happen this year, in 2024. To the team and all of the donors, kindly tell them that we will always include them in our prayers. Thank you for bringing this miracle into our lives. 

From the bottom of our hearts, THANK YOU.

Merly

Volunteer Voices

First-time Team Members

One of the most exciting parts of the Operation Walk Los Angeles team makeup is being able to introduce new volunteers to the experience of medical missions. These three women have different areas of expertise, but all shared their talents, their hearts, and dedication to patient care during our visit to the Philippines. 

Coleen Daugherty, RN

Circulating Nurse

As a first-time volunteer, I admired how people from all walks of life worked together as a family with one big goal in mind: to give people a lifetime impact and help them walk again. The equation of compassion + collaboration life-changing effects was truly manifested the entire week we were there from pre-op, through the operating room, to post-op and recovery.

In addition, I am truly grateful for the hospitality of St Elizabeth’s staff from Sir Tony and the rest of his crew. They displayed true generosity, sincere appreciation, heartwarming welcome, provided an abundance of delicious food and showcased their talented staff. A shout-out to the phenomenal nurses I worked with, Kristine and Arreane. They have all truly blessed us in so many ways.

It takes a great team of leadership to make this mission a success. Thank you to the OpWalk team leaders; Dr. John Kumar, Dr. William Long, Lisa Fujimoto, Trish Lindsey, Mary Ellen Sieben and Stacy Kelso. We saw how you all worked so hard to make this mission happen. It takes one person to help you realize your dream. A special thanks to Trish (we go way back from Northwestern Medicine in Chicago) for making my dream come true to be a part of a medical mission that creates a lifetime impact.

Every single donation gets magnified as a whole. Please continue to support the OpWalk team. I can’t emphasize enough how life-changing their work truly is. Every patient was so genuinely grateful for everything, and it changed my life more than it changed theirs. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of the Operation Walk Los Angeles team who create lifetime impacts through hip and knee replacement surgeries. As Mother Teresa said, “A life not lived for others is not a life.”

Boreum Kim

Physical Therapist

I’m a physical therapist with 8 years of experience with orthopedic certified specialist (OCS) and neurologic certified specialist (NCS) currently working at CHA Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. I first heard about OpWalk seven years ago from Dr. William Long's Physician Assistant, Bert Fuller. He was my patient and needed to reschedule his appointment due to an upcoming mission in Cuba. Since then, I’ve been working closely with Dr. Long, seeing his patients on the same day of surgery. I was able to witness his full of excitement and joy each time he returned from a mission. It made me want to discover for myself what Operation Walk was all about. The impact of this mission was huge; it was very rewarding, and filled with joy and gratitude.

I remember two female patients in their early 40’s. One was a biology teacher who’d been suffering from bilateral hip pain for over three years. She was very determined to have both hips replaced. She took a leap of faith and she was rewarded with fast recovery and great potential to engage an active lifestyle that she always dreamed about. 

The other patient presented with ankylosing spondylitis and a fused hip joint with a limited range of motion and received total hip replacement surgery. Her gait was severely dysfunctional; excessive right hip abduction with a trunk lean. After her surgery, she still had the tendency to walk with a right hip abduction possibly due to old habits and muscle memory, but was able to correct it with cues. She kept asking me during her therapy if she would be able to walk normal. It was hard for her to imagine. She doesn’t need to feel humiliated, depressed or bullied any more. I assured her that she could achieve a normal gait with continuous effort to stretch/strengthen hip muscles. 

I also appreciate the hospitality of St. Elizabeth Hospital and the generous support from former senator, Manny Pacquiao which made this trip extra special.

It was very rewarding to witness people’s recovery after surgery. Patients and families were extremely happy with their results, and everyone showed their gratitude by celebrating their life-changing transformations. It is true that giving is better than receiving. I’m so happy to have discovered the joy of serving others.

Michelle Riley

Physician Assistant

I've been a Physician Assistant since 2002 and started working at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles in 2006. I'd heard of Operation Walk numerous times but didn't know how to get involved until our Orthopedic Nurse Paulina Andujo introduced me to the Ins & outs of the program and recommended I apply online. I’d interacted with Lisa Fujimoto over the years but never got to work closely with her until this trip. I was elated to get the invitation to join the mission because Paulina had said so many great things about the organization. 

One patient I assisted during her Bilateral Hip Replacement surgery is a Biology professor and is looking forward to getting back to work teaching her students. In a way, I feel like I'm helping young scientists that I ordinarily wouldn't have had the opportunity to have an impact on by giving them back their teacher.

Another patient that I assisted during her hip replacement is young and has one and four-year-old kids. It's a great feeling giving those little kids their Mommy back and giving her a pain-free life. I have an 8-year-old so I know that being a Mommy is hard enough without adding chronic pain to the mix.

My trip was a very memorable and fulfilling experience. It was great to work with other surgeons that I've heard of over the years and rewarding to take care of patients and help to give them their lives back.

Volunteer Voices

The Hands of Experience

The other aspect of the Operation Walk Los Angeles team is the hands of experience. Those volunteers who have been on multiple missions and invested their time, talents, and hearts in making sure our mission to restore mobility continues. Below are stories from two dedicated members of this group, orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Dang Khoa Vo and internist, Dr. Mimi Cameron. 

A Look into Knee Replacement

Dr. Dang Khoa Vo

We are happy to share this look into knee replacement by orthopedic surgeon, Dang Khoa Vo MD. Thank you, Dr. Vo for taking time to share Mrs. Neri’s case and her outcome with us.

Mrs. Ninfa Congson Neri is a 65 y/o dentist who has suffered debilitating, left worse than right, knee pain for several years that has significantly reduced her quality of life as she can no longer walk long distances outside of the home without the use of a cane/walker. Even mere prolonged standing is now a challenge in her activities of daily living. She felt very fortunate to have been selected as a candidate for left total knee replacement on this Operation Walk mission to General Santos City, Philippines.

She underwent left total knee arthroplasty under spinal anesthesia without complications. Remarkably, despite being the last case of the day, when I saw her on postoperative rounds before leaving the hospital that evening, I was astonished that she sat up in bed with a beaming smile on her face. I understood the joy! With her husband and daughter at the bedside, she leaped from her hospital bed, stood and walked to me, without the use of any cane, walker or other gait aids, just to show me how much her knee pain has improved...or rather resolved. Of all the joint replacements I've done (albeit there have not been many in the grand scheme), I don't remember a patient ever getting out of bed, walking unassisted and pain-free on the same day. What a mix of emotions that jolted me...I was briefly frozen in fear that she might fall and hurt herself, though elated to see such a dramatic and immediate impact that an operation can have on someone's quality of life. The excitement from her family was palpable. Her only wish is for Operation Walk to return next year and be able to replace her right knee.

Neri before and after x-ray

A Matter of Trust:

Dr. Mimi Cameron, Internal Medicine

I would like share a story about a patient who really touched me during our mission to General Santos City. His name is Brendon Buenaflor and he just happens to not only be a firefighter but the arm wrestling champion of Mindanao as well. Brendon was shot eleven years ago by an AK rifle in his right knee. This injury led to having a rod, metal plate and pins implanted into his knee and femur. He suffers from severe arthritis in that knee and also in his left. He really wanted his right knee replaced but our team didn’t have the proper equipment to remove the existing hardware so we offered to replace his left knee instead. 

Brendon drove two hours from his house to tell us in person he didn’t think a left knee replacement would improve his situation. I talked with him and then he talked with Dr. Aamer Malik. He went home to discuss his options with his children and then ultimately returned to have his left knee replaced. 

It was heartwarming to see Brendon walk with less pain and with a big smile on his face. He said he was glad he had it done. Seeing someone like him get at least some better mobility returned makes these missions worth it for both the patients and ourselves. We’re privileged to be able to help someone regain their mobility. 

Dr. Lawrence D. Dorr Scholarship Winner

Dr. Kamran Movassaghi

I have spent the last 10 years of my life mostly trying to answer the “how” of medicine. How does the bodywork, fail, and heal? As I became more specialized, my focus turned to understanding bony pathology and its surgical treatment. How do I fix this fracture…How do I perform this surgery? Throughout this journey, it became easy to lose sight of the “why”.

My mission trip with Operation Walk to the Philippines was a tangible reminder of the reason why I decided to pursue medicine in the first place. One of the most rewarding experiences of my short career has been seeing those young patients come into the hospital in wheelchairs and leave post-operatively walking. 

I will be forever grateful to the staff at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital for creating a collegial and collaborative work environment. I am very blessed to finish my medical training and step into my role as an attending physician after this experience with new invigoration and fervor. This trip further underscored that the skills and knowledge I have gained are a privilege that will allow me to directly impact people’s lives both locally and abroad. I am thankful to OpWalk for affording me this opportunity and I look forward to future mission trips as I move forward into my career to continually answer the question “why”. 

Many thanks to the donors who made our 2024 mission to the Philippines possible. Your generosity makes our mission to restore mobility a reality.

• Sir Tony Veneracion
• Sir Manny Pacquiao
• Saint Elizabeth Hospital INC General Santos City
• Stryker Orthopaedics
• Zimmer Biomet
• Baliwag Lechon Company-owner Dolly Salcedo
• Catherine’s Homes in Fullerton-owner Asuncion Gonzales
• Cristina Bon, Chenny Botones, and Mary Ann Guarin for securing the generous donations from Baliwag Lechon and Catherine’s Homes
• Mahintana Foundation INC
• Mölnlyke
• Next Science
• Sarangani Bay Eagles Club
• Rotary Club of Dadiangas
• Sinawal Medical Supplies

Usually when we climb aboard the Operation Walk Time Machine we head back into the past. This month we are flashing forward! We are beyond excited to announce a second mission this fall, this time our destination will be Havana, Cuba. Be sure to check our September newsletter for more about the history of Operation Walk in Cuba, stories from experienced and new volunteers, and updates on this upcoming mission.

Want to help us restore mobility in Havana this fall? Click now to help us change lives, one surgery at a time.

Do you have a photo or memory to share about a past trip? Send your thoughts and images to cami@operationwalk.org and you could be featured in our next newsletter!