Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo, the eldest son of the First Couple was only 12 years old when he was diagnosed to have kidney disease.

Out of the same traumatic experience, the First Gentleman learned how serious kidney disease is and where it may lead. When Mikey was finally cured, the First Gentleman was so thankful that he vowed to help the people who do not have the resources and means to treat their kidney disease. It is for this reason that that the First Gentleman made a pioneering effort to come out with the kidney transplant project called “Bagong Bato, Bagong Buhay”. The First Gentleman Foundation in co-operation with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) takes care of the cost of the kidney transplant operation and assist in the post medication of patient, respectively.

A 2003 survey of the Department of Health shows that a great number of Filipinos are afflicted by kidney ailment. Most of those afflicted, however, have no resources to meet the high cost of the treatment.

Initially, the project was for the benefit of those confined at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI).

To date, 41 indigent patients have benefited from the project fro which more than P3.5 million has been spent.

The First Gentleman together with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) also supports the Malacañang Dialysis Center.

The youngest of the beneficiaries is 12 year-old Alyanna Buenaflor, who underwent kidney transplant operation last February 28, 2005. She now lives a normal life. “You gave Alyanna a new life. Your help was the answer to our prayers”, said the teary-eyed grandmother of Alyanna.

In PGH, the first beneficiary of the project was Reynaldo Lazo, who underwent a successful surgery last February 2005.

The Lazo family long waited for a Good Samaritan to should the cost of the transplant. His medical expenses in hemodialysis had drained the family’s meager income. And the Good Samaritan turned out to be the First Gentleman.