My name is Emerito Rojas from the Philippines. I have been living with stage 4 laryngeal cancer since 2002. Cancer changed my life. It took my natural voice, and I now speak with a device that produces a robotic sound.

At that time, cancer was seen as a death sentence because of the challenges within our healthcare system such as difficulty finding proper care, the crippling cost of treatment, and navigating a fragmented healthcare system.

In two years, I underwent three major surgeries, 36 radiation and 10 chemotherapy sessions, followed by another two long years of physical and emotional rehabilitation.

My cancer experience gave me invaluable insights. With assistance, I learned how to make critical treatment decisions, cope with emotional trauma, and address the financial burdens of care.

But not all are as fortunate as I am. Many are deprived of such support. To bridge the gap, I established the New Vois Association in 2007. Through peer-to-peer counselling, patient navigation, and rehabilitation programs, we empower people with cancer to face their challenges, offering a level of empathy and guidance that only comes from people with lived experience.

We, people with lived experience, are rising to the challenge to lead and act to realize a responsive and equitable healthcare system for all.

What started as simple conversations among people living with laryngeal cancer became a movement for change. Initially, our discussions often turned into a “blame game” with questions like, “Why did this happen to me?” and “I should have seen a doctor earlier.” Many expressed regret, saying, “If only I knew I would lose my natural voice.”

As we continued to meet, these conversations revealed deeper issues: limited public awareness of risk factors, misdiagnosed symptoms, inadequate medical facilities, substantial out-of-pocket expenditure, and the absence of rehabilitation support. That shared agony became a shared passion with a purpose.

In 2007, we founded the New Vois Association of the Philippines, led by cancer survivors determined to turn our lived experiences into meaningful change.

We guide patients through the healthcare maze, provide crucial speech rehabilitation, and empower new cancer survivors to become advocates. Most importantly, in 2019, we championed landmark legislations such as the Cancer Control Act and the Universal Healthcare Act. Collectively, we are saving lives by turning our challenges into systemic change.

As Henry Ford said, ‘Coming together is the beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.’

Together, we are making a difference.

Despite uniting to create advocacy wins on the Universal Health Care Law and the National Integrated Cancer Control Act, we are still waiting for promises to be fulfilled. We realize that our work has only just begun.

Cancer remains the second leading cause of mortality in the Philippines, responsible for over 10% of deaths. According to the University of the Philippines National Health Institute six out of ten Filipinos die without ever seeing a doctor, especially in underserved areas.

People do not die from cancer alone. They die from late detection, prohibitive out-of-pocket costs, and unequal access to care. But these are not impossible challenges. W We can and must address them.

Through my leadership of the New Vois Association of the Philippines, I have guided our collective efforts to raise awareness, shape public discourse, and drive meaningful policy change. I have empowered individuals to share their stories, advocate for their rights, and demand reform of our healthcare system.

We vow to continue this work by demanding the full implementation of the UHC Law and the Cancer Control Act. We call for urgent action with laws that prioritize prevention, strengthen healthcare systems, and guarantee sustainable financing so that treatment is timely, accessible, and affordable for all.

We, the people who lived through cancer, know what is at stake. We have seen the gaps. We know the solutions. Now, we continue raising our voices to be involved in ensuring cancer care equity. We are ready to answer the Call to Lead.