A Silent Help: How Celebrate Every Breath with Little Ark Foundation Impacted at about 480 Lives at National Children's Hospital
Celebrate Every Breath (CEB) wasn’t something I planned, and it certainly wasn’t something I expected. But sometimes, life nudges you toward a purpose without you even realizing it.
I’ve always had a soft spot for children, especially those facing the hardest battles in life. That’s why, when I first learned about the National Children’s Hospital (NCH) and began exploring ways to help, it felt like the right direction. What I didn’t expect, though, was the personal impact it would have on me.
In October 2024, shortly after I returned to the Philippines, I had the chance to talk to Ms. Rosemary Catap, the Chief of the Medical Social Work Department at NCH, who then introduced me to Mr. Butch Bustamante, the Founder of Little Ark Foundation. During that meeting, I saw something that changed everything.
They showed me photos of families—mothers, fathers, children—sleeping outside NCH. After long, grueling treatments, these families had nowhere to go. The children were fighting for their lives, and yet, after chemo and all they had been through, they were left to sleep on the ground while waiting for their next round of treatment. It crushed me. No child should face that kind of hardship after everything they’ve endured.
The Beginning of Something Quiet
During that phone call conversation, Ms. Rosemary asked if I could cover the treatment costs for these families. The price was staggering, and I had to be honest with her. I explained that Celebrate Every Breath was still in its early stages, and we weren’t in a position to cover such large expenses. The treatment costs, even at a public hospital, were much higher than I had anticipated.
But despite the limitations, I was determined to help. I felt an undeniable urge to launch a project—something, anything, that would provide some kind of relief to these families. I wanted to start making a difference, even if we weren’t ready for something as big as covering medical bills.
That’s when Ms. Rosemary gave me another option. She introduced me to the Little Ark Foundation, which provides housing assistance for families who travel long distances to access life-saving treatments at NCH. Little Ark offers a place for families to rest, eat, and feel supported during the long, exhausting process of treatment.
She asked if I could support the cost of housing for eight families for a month. It wasn’t nearly as large as covering medical bills, but it was a way to provide comfort and relief during such a difficult time. Without hesitation, I said yes.
A Quiet Impact, Made Possible by You
The question I kept asking myself was: How? How could I help when Celebrate Every Breath was still so new? How could I possibly fund something so big? I didn’t have all the answers, and honestly, I didn’t have a clear plan. All I know is that this is all Divinely guided and what I did have was an unwavering belief in the mission—and a deep desire to make a difference.
And that’s when the support came. It wasn’t a loud announcement or a public campaign. It wasn’t about making a name for myself. It was about the quiet, steady, and humbling support I received from people who believed in what Celebrate Every Breath could do, even before it had fully launched.
From the start, I couldn’t have done it alone. The people around me, my friends, who believed in this mission stepped up in ways I never imagined. When I wasn’t sure how to move forward, they were there.
There were friends who made purchases before I even had prices, friends who shared their support without hesitation, and others who reached out simply to say, “I believe in this.” One friend, who I met during my last days in the Philippines, surprised me by offering to buy 50 Hope & Champ stuffed toys. At the time, I wasn’t even selling them. She simply said, “I want to support you.” That unexpected support meant everything.
When I was unsure of how to make this happen, I got all the support I just needed. And it’s because of them that we were able to raise the funds necessary to cover a full month of housing and support for eight families a day at Little Ark Foundation.
In addition to providing housing and comfort, we were able to bring a little joy to the children at NCH during our visit. My son, Kyle, was with us during the visit, and he had the honor of distributing the Hope & Champ stuffed toys to the kids. These toys were more than just gifts - they became symbols of strength, hope and resilience.
Seeing the children's faces light up as they received the toys was a moment I'll never forget. These gifts weren't just to there to cheer them up; they were a reminder of the hope that exists even in the hardest of times. the connection between Hope & Champ and the children was tangible, and it's something I will always treasure.
The Ripple Effect: 480 Lives Impacted
Thanks to the generosity of those who believed in CEB from the very start, we made an impact. In January 2025, we were able to provide housing, food, and support for eight families—that’s 240 lives—as they stayed at Little Ark Foundation while receiving life-saving treatment at NCH. But the impact didn’t stop there.
In May 2025, just a few months later, we did it again. We repeated our support, helping another eight families for another month—another 240 lives touched.
That’s 480 lives impacted across two rounds of support. Families who no longer had to sleep outside the hospital, who no longer had to worry about where they would stay. Instead, they had a place to rest, eat, and feel cared for.
This was never about recognition. It was never about a loud announcement or a big campaign. It was about doing what was needed, even when the path wasn’t clear, and it was only possible because of the quiet, steady support from so many of you.
The Mission Continues
Looking back, it’s clear that this journey was never about being “ready.” It was about responding to the need, however I could, even when I didn’t know exactly how it would all unfold. This is just the beginning. We haven’t officially launched Celebrate Every Breath, but the lives we’ve already touched are proof that even small, humble actions can make a big difference.
And the mission isn’t over yet. If you want to continue helping, you can support us by purchasing merchandise from Celebrate Every Breath. Whether for yourself or as a gift for someone else, every purchase goes a long way in helping us continue this mission.
Visit us at www.celebrateeverybreath.com to get your merch and be a part of this life-changing journey. You may also follow us on our Instagram Account and tag us your photo with your fave CEB merch. This help us spread the message. We are always grateful for the support.
You can also reach out to Little Ark Foundation on their Instagram account for more information on how you can support their incredible work.
Thank you to everyone who has quietly supported us—whether through donations, spreading the word, or simply believing in this mission. You’ve made a real difference in the lives of these families, and together, we will continue to make an impact.
Let’s keep going. Together, we’re creating a ripple of change—one family, one breath at a time.
*Note: All photos shared of the Children at Little Ark Foundation have been approved and consented to by their parents or guardians
With Love & Purpose, Tin