“My spirit left me. I felt weak and helpless. What of my children? How much time do I have left?” These were the words of Mr. Atepo Richard, a 64-year-old man from Alebtong District, whose long and painful journey to healing finally found its answer this September at St. Mary’s Hospital, Lacor.
It all began in 2015, when he noticed he was urinating more frequently than usual—four to five times a night. At first, he didn’t think much of it. But by 2018, the condition worsened, blocking his ability to pass urine. That’s when he began seeking help. At Midtown Clinic, scans were done, and a doctor pulled him aside to deliver the news: he had an incurable disease. The doctor never named it. The silence was crushing. Atepo was left with questions that haunted him—about his children, his future, and the unknown illness that had taken hold of his body. Still, he didn’t give up. He held on to hope.
Over the years, he visited hospitals, clinics, herbalists—anyone who might offer a solution. At one clinic, he was quoted 1.2 million shillings for surgery, a figure far beyond his means. Another herbalist promised healing through traditional medicine, but nothing changed. Disappointment followed him, but so did determination.
In 2024, a friend told him about surgical camps at Lacor Hospital. It felt like a new window of hope. He arrived late, just a week into registration, but was allowed to wait. As the days passed, anxiety grew. On the final day, he learned the surgeons had finished their work and were leaving. “I felt like crying,” he said, “but I held back my tears not to weaken my caretaker.” He went home—not disappointed, but determined to return earlier next year.
And that’s exactly what he did. In August 2025, Mr. Atepo arrived two weeks before the camp began. He waited patiently at Gang Welo, Lacor’s waiting home. On Sunday, September 7th, the camp opened, and he made it this time.
His smile said everything when we caught up with him in the recovery room. But he still had words to share. “After close to 25 years of looking for this surgery, I’ve finally got it. I’m very happy and grateful to the team that gave me and us this opportunity to live without pain. Thank you, Lacor. Thank you to those who came from afar for our sake.”
Mr. Atepo had been suffering from an enlarged prostate, a non-cancerous condition common in older men that causes urinary symptoms like frequent urination and difficulty emptying the bladder. It’s treatable, but often inaccessible to those in underserved communities.
Another patient from the camp, Mr. Ocira George Odayi and his daughter, after surgery
He wasn’t alone. Others, like Ocira George Odayi, also received care. By the end of the camp on September 12th, 71 patients had undergone surgery, ranging from plastic surgery for burns and syndactyly to urology and general procedures for hernias, skin lumps, and cysts.
Mr. Akena Celestino, some members from the Medical Mission Foundation, after surgery
Since 1996, Medical Missions Foundation has brought surgical and medical care to thousands across the globe. What began with 16 volunteers in the Philippines has grown into a movement of healing and hope. From all of us at Lacor Hospital, and from the patients and families whose lives have been touched, we say thank you. Safe journey until next year, when we pick up once again from where we left off.
