An Evening of Compassion, Partnership, and Hope in Michigan
TROY, MICHIGAN — The 72nd Anniversary Gala of World Medical Relief (WMR), held on November 8, 2025, at the San Marino Club, brought together nearly 200 guests from around the world—diplomats, medical leaders, volunteers, business figures, and humanitarian advocates. Among them were Wesleyan University Philippines (WUP) President Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro Jr. and key university officials, joining the celebration of WMR’s global mission under the theme “Pillars of Healing: Standing Tall Serving Humanity.”
The gala served as both tribute and lifeline—an annual effort to raise essential funds for the distribution of surplus medical resources to communities ravaged by poverty, disaster, and lack of healthcare access. This year’s gathering shimmered not just with elegance but with purpose.
“This is not just a dinner—it’s a declaration and commitment,” said Dr. George Samson, President of World Medical Relief. “In a world often divided, we choose to heal it together. You, the donors and volunteers—doctors, nurses, students, leaders—are the very pillars of this mission. Every supply we send, every patient we reach, reflects your compassion. Like the nurse in Tanzania who safely delivered a baby using our donated fetal doppler during a blackout, or the mother in Nigeria freed from hospital debt—we are healing the world, one life at a time. Be proud. Be a giver. Be a pillar of healing.”
For President Irineo Alvaro Jr., WMR Ambassador for Asia, the evening felt like coming home to a mission he has long embraced. Having attended the gala for twelve straight years, he reflected quietly but passionately on why he continues to show up.
He shared that each year reveals “new meanings” to being part of WMR’s mission. Despite what he called his “limited resources and dwindling agility at 67,” he has compelled himself to attend because he believes deeply in extending the life of the “sick poor.” Over more than a decade, he witnessed WMR’s humanitarian work expand “from the Americas, to Africa, to the Mediterranean, to Asia and the rest of the world,” never growing tired—only “stronger and larger.”
For him, the sight of young people joining the mission each year is proof that WMR’s light “shall never wane,” but continue to be a significant force for extending human life across the globe.
WUP Vice President for Academic Affairs Wilfredo C. Ramos described the gala as a “blessing,” moved by the sheer number of people—from various nations and generations—whose hearts “beat strongly for the mission.”
He was especially touched by the sight of young ambassadors in their twenties advocating for their impoverished nations. “It filled my heart with hope,” he said, seeing individuals generously sharing their resources for the sick and the poor. His experience as a volunteer at WMR’s headquarters has allowed him to witness firsthand what he calls a living expression of God’s heart, echoing Deuteronomy 15:11: “You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor.”
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For Rio Anne B. Dizon, Director for Internationalization and Linkages, the gala awakened a renewed faith in humanity. What struck her most was the “genuine spirit of compassion and service” permeating the room. Listening to testimonies affirmed her belief that kindness, generosity, and solidarity remain alive—transcending color, religion, and race.
Watching WMR pool and channel resources across continents reminded her that “when people work together, so much good can be done.” Through WMR’s quiet yet faithful work, she saw how healthcare gaps are bridged for thousands—how hospitals and clinics regain strength, how hope returns to underserved communities, and how God is praised through service.
Entrepreneur-engineer Irene G. Alvaro captured another heartwarming picture of the night: young people leading the way in generosity.
She recounted the moving moment when a 19-year-old ambassador inspired adults in their forties and fifties to lift their hands and empty their pockets for the sick. In her eyes, this symbolized the timeless heartbeat of WMR. She emphasized how “medicines, machinery, and equipment are undoubtedly expensive,” yet through WMR’s innovation and efficiency, “healing is no longer a dream but a reality,” significantly strengthening global humanitarian efforts.
The presence of so many “Angels of Mercy”—from volunteers to donors to ambassadors—stood as a tribute to the mission founded in 1953 by Irene Auberlin, who famously reminded the world that what we do for the poor, we do for the Lord.
Her legacy continues to animate every container shipped, every patient served, and every life touched across continents.
For the Filipino delegates, the gala was more than an event—it was a reaffirmation of what the world can accomplish when compassion is organized and shared.
As Ambassador Alvaro reflected, the pride and inspiration of communing with those who serve with devotion will always fuel his commitment to this mission. “WMR,” he said, “is not just an organization. It is a movement of healing and hope.”
The writer is profoundly grateful for the honor and great opportunity to witness how the reign of God is built through the conscientious and intentional efforts to offer concrete expressions of pursuing peace and love. On this 72nd anniversary, that movement stood tall—proving once again that when humanity comes together, the world becomes a gentler place.
Article by Gladys P. Mangiduyos
Photos courtesy of the Office of the President
