For children born with congenital heart conditions, simple joys like running, laughing, and playing have often felt beyond their reach. Camp Braveheart is more than just an event, it is a heartfelt thanksgiving to the generous sponsors and supporters whose compassion has made life-saving treatments possible. It marks a joyous commencement, symbolizing a new chapter where these children can finally embrace the freedoms of a normal childhood. Thanks to the unwavering support of sponsors and donors from around the world, Camp Braveheart unites survivors and their families in a celebration of resilience, renewed hope, and the promise of brighter, healthier futures.
Camp Braveheart celebrates the resilience and renewed hope of Operation Braveheart patients by hosting a day of entertainment, interactive games, and meaningful connections among patients, families, donors, and volunteers. This joyful gathering, in partnership with the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority, not only uplifts the spirits of participants but also fosters supportive networks essential for sustainable recovery and reintegration which contributes to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting a sense of community that lasts long after the event ends.
Held annually by the Phi Kappa Mu Fraternity and the Phi Lambda Delta Sorority of the University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Camp Braveheart is a celebration of survival, community, and renewed hope. The event brings together children who have undergone life-saving heart surgeries under Operation Braveheart, a flagship initiative made possible through the collaborative effort of student-led organizations and generous partners. On this day, children once confined by their conditions are free to enjoy games, magic shows, and clown performances, without the limitations once placed on their young hearts.
This year, Camp Braveheart is set on August 30 at Calderon Hall of UP College of Medicine. Around 200 participants attended the even, including Operation Braveheart beneficiaries and their families, student volunteers from UPCM Classes 2028 and 2029, members of the Rotaract Club of Makati Southeast, and the host fraternity and sorority themselves.
But the real highlight of Camp Braveheart is not just the festivities, it’s the powerful stories of resilience and recovery shared by former patients. This year, Rachelle “Chel” Rosales-Rivera, 34, took to the stage with a message of strength and faith. Diagnosed with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a congenital heart condition, Chel lived through decades of pain, exhaustion, and medical setbacks. Despite the odds, she pursued her passion for teaching and continued to serve others even when her own body tried to slow her down.
Growing up in Tanza, Cavite, Chel experienced frequent fevers and fatigue. Due to limited access to maternal and child health services in their area, her condition went undiagnosed until she was a year old. Financial limitations delayed treatment, and even when funds were eventually raised for surgery through Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) assistance, the aid expired before she could use it. For years, Chel relied on medication alone to manage her symptoms.
Still, Chel pressed on. Her schooling was interrupted multiple times due to her health, but her determination remained unshaken. She graduated, became a licensed teacher, and taught high school Filipino. But even the daily grind of walking up several flights of stairs with teaching materials in tow took a toll on her weakened heart. Ultimately, it was a surgery in April 2023, decades in the making, that finally changed her life.
Chel now tutors elementary students from her own home, refusing to let her health rob her of her calling. Her story, shared at Camp Braveheart, served as a beacon of inspiration, especially for parents of children who had recently undergone surgery. “There is life after diagnosis,” she said. “There is a future where our children don’t just survive, they thrive.”
Chel also expressed her deep gratitude to the donors and medical professionals who enabled her treatment, acknowledging that their support transformed her life after a long healing journey. She believes initiatives like Operation Braveheart are urgently needed in the country, especially in remote regions where poverty remains pervasive. With the government unable to assist everyone, the participation of private sectors, Non-Governmental Organizations, and similar initiatives is essential to ensure more individuals receive the necessary medical care they urgently require.
To her fellow attendees, Chel encourages not only living life to the fullest but also giving kindness back in the future, in everyone’s own little ways. Her message resonated deeply, underscoring the power of community and compassion in the journey toward healing.
For the children of Camp Braveheart, Chel’s journey is proof that healing is not only physical, it is emotional, social, and deeply human. Meanwhile, for the volunteers, doctors, donors, and organizers behind Operation Braveheart, it is a reaffirmation of why their work matters. Each child’s laughter is a symbol of a battle hard-fought and won, not just in the operating room, but in life itself.
As the day closes, the real magic of Camp Braveheart is not found in the tricks of a magician or the colors of a clown. it’s in the unburdened steps of children who, just months ago, could barely walk without struggling to breathe. At Camp Braveheart, they are reminded of what it feels like to simply be children again and that, perhaps, is the most precious gift of all.
Camp Braveheart thrives not only through the dedication of student doctors and volunteers, but also through the generous support of Phi Kappa Mu International (PKMI). As the project’s primary donor, PKMI ensures that children with congenital heart conditions receive life-changing care. A U.S.-registered non-profit, PKMI has long supported medical missions and post-operative services, not just with funds, but with a deep commitment to saving lives and restoring hope.
This project’s major funding comes from donors to the Phi Kappa Mu International (PKMI). To support similar life-saving efforts, visit www.phicaresnetwork.org. As we continue to expand Camp Braveheart and its reach, we remain deeply indebted to PKMI and all who make these dreams a reality. Their generosity has not only changed lives, it has allowed children to finally run, laugh, and live freely with hearts full of hope.
