Governor Erico Aumentado, Vice Governor Julius Caesar Herrera, SP Committee on Health Chair Cesar Tomas M. Lopez and Provincial Administratoryer Handel Lagunay conveyed their sincerest thanks and utmost gratitude to the members of the Association of Filipino Physicians of Southern Illinois (AFPSI) led by Dr. Renato Rivera. The provincial officials also thanked the Knights of Columbus of Breese Illinois Council 2869 for the successful conduct of the recent surgical medical mission held February 22-26, 2010 at the Borja Family Hospital courtesy of Dr. Melinda R. Borja. Mrs. Fancy S. Baluyot, consultant, health & social services; president/CEO, Philippine Gift of Life, Inc. likewise extended her appreciation to the various support groups for their generosity in sharing their time and to all individuals for their spirited involvement who ensured the astounding conclusion of the mission.

She said without their remarkable assistance, this humanitarian endeavor would have remained a dream. The surgical team composed of physicians from Tennessee , Florida and Virginia performed a total of 88 corrective surgeries to thyroidectomy, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, breast cyst, hernia, gallbladder, colon, cleft lip and palate among other major surgeries. The five-day massive surgical operation was sponsored by the Provincial Government of Bohol coordinated by the Philippine Gift of Life, Inc. headed by its chair Dr. Ramie Cadag, and its vice president Rev. Fr. Victor G. Bompat. The medical undetaking was assisted by the Department of Health thru DOH Secretary Dr. Esperanza Cabral and Undersecretary Dr. Elmer Punzalan with the support of some donors from USA .