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Shane and Aimee Wallenda, a couple from Walla Walla, WA, began extending help to impoverished Filipino children battling cancer in 2012.
It started when the Wallendas were first introduced to a foundation in the Philippines and felt compelled to contribute. They began by sending shoebox gifts filled with essentials and small toys, later raising $500 to host a modest Christmas party for the children.
At the time, they had no idea that this small act of kindness would set them on a life-changing path. It soon became the foundation of a much larger mission.
After three years of quietly doing this charity work, Shane one day told his Filipina wife, Aimee, and declared: “We will have a foundation, and it will be called Adonai’s Mercy House.”
Aimee laughed it off. “We’re not that rich to put up a foundation,” she thought. But as they would soon discover, when God plants a mission in your heart, He also clears the way for it to flourish.
Then they met Prince.
Prince was five years old, blind, and battling cancer. More than anything, he wanted to meet his hero—Coco Martin, a famous Filipino actor. In his young imagination, Coco was the father he never had, a comforting presence in an otherwise painful reality.
Aimee shared Prince’s story on Facebook, hoping for nothing more than a kind word or prayer from well-wishers. But the post spread quickly, and within days, Coco Martin himself reached out. He met Prince, fulfilling the boy’s greatest wish.
Shortly after, Prince passed away. His death left a deep mark on the Wallendas. They couldn’t shake the thought of families who, due to poverty, had no choice but to stop treatment for their children. How many more “Princes” were out there, children whose battles ended not because of the illness itself, but because they couldn’t afford to fight?
That question led them to the Bible. One day, as they searched for guidance, they opened to Revelation 22:2:
“Down the middle of the great street of the city, on each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.”
Then something remarkable happened.
Aimee received a gift: a money tree. It was just a small houseplant, but to her, it was a sign. “I couldn’t help but see the connection between the leaves that heal the nations and this tree,” she recalled.
And so, the Wallendas embraced the calling they once thought impossible.
For a decade, they tirelessly fundraised in Walla Walla, Washington, rallying support for Filipino children with cancer. Then, in 2023, they took a bold step forward. Seeking to expand their efforts, they met with Ms. Nancy Nicolas, a seasoned development worker with a heart for the cause. A month later, Nancy became the first Executive Director of Adonai’s Mercy House.
One of her first thoughts was to call Dr. Glenn Roy V. Paraso, Executive Director and CEO of Mary Johnston Hospital (MJH). What began as a simple conversation turned into a game-changing opportunity.
“Would your organization be interested in partnering with MJH to run a pediatric oncology ward?” Dr. Paraso asked. “There’s a vacant ward we can renovate.”
When Nancy relayed the offer to Shane and Aimee, they were overwhelmed with gratitude. This was the opportunity they had prayed for, a chance to create a dedicated space for young cancer patients in a private hospital in the Philippines.
On August 26, 2024, that vision became reality.
The newly renovated Pediatric Oncology Ward at Mary Johnston Hospital was consecrated, a sanctuary of healing and hope. The ceremony was led by Dr. Paraso, MJH Board Chairperson Reiner Puno, Nancy Nicolas, and the Wallendas, who stood in awe of how far their journey had come.
With four beds, the ward offers round-the-clock care, led by a pediatric oncologist and a team of dedicated nurses. It is a small but powerful beginning.
For Shane and Aimee, Adonai’s Mercy House has never been about wealth or resources, it has always been about faith. They continue to be amazed at how God opens doors, even when they least expect it.
And through it all, they remember Prince. His story was the spark that lit this mission, a reminder of why they do what they do.
Today, Adonai’s Mercy House stands as a beacon of hope for children and families facing the darkest moments of their lives, proving that even the smallest act of compassion can grow into something extraordinary.
A Mission of Hope and Healing
Core Values
Compassion: Caring deeply for the well-being of every individual we serve, with empathy and kindness at the heart of our actions.
Dignity: Treating every patient, elderly person, and their families with respect, ensuring they feel valued and honored throughout their care journey.
Commitment: A steadfast dedication to providing continuous support, raising necessary resources, and helping one patient at a time.
Hope: Offering encouragement and faith in the face of adversity, providing not only physical care but emotional and spiritual support to uplift those in need.
Integrity: Acting with honesty, transparency, and accountability in all our efforts to ensure the trust of the individuals and communities we serve.
Collaboration: Working together with healthcare providers, communities, and supporters to extend the reach of our mission and vision.
Inclusivity: Ensuring that no one is denied care or support based on financial or social barriers, embracing the most vulnerable without discrimination.
Empowerment: Equipping families and individuals with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to manage their health and well-being.
A world where compassion reaches every child with cancer, every lonely elderly person, and every vulnerable individual in need. Adonai’s Mercy House strives for a future where no one is denied help, and communities everywhere take responsibility to care for those most in need. Through our growing efforts, we aim to inspire empathy and action, ensuring that compassion, healing, and dignity touch all lives we serve.
At Adonai's Mercy House, we are dedicated to caring for the most vulnerable, especially children with cancer in the Philippines and elderly individuals in the United States. We offer compassionate support through medical, emotional, and spiritual care to help ease their suffering and improve their quality of life. Our mission is to ensure that no one is denied the care they need, regardless of financial challenges. With a heart full of compassion, we are committed to raising the necessary funds and providing personalized care, one patient at a
time, so that every person we serve feels supported, valued, and treated with dignity.
Vision Statement
Mission Statement
Adonai’s Mercy House is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to serving the impoverished and vulnerable with compassion and dignity. Rooted in faith and love, we provide comprehensive care and support to pediatric cancer patients, individuals with autism, the elderly, and those in need of hospice care—locally and globally.
In partnership with Mary Johnston Hospital in Tondo, we operate a specialized pediatric oncology ward that brings holistic healing to children diagnosed with cancer. Our mission began with children abandoned in their treatment journey due to financial barriers, and has since expanded to meet the needs of other underserved populations.
Our multifaceted support system includes:
Financial Assistance
We alleviate the burden of medical expenses by covering the costs of treatments, medications, therapies, and essential care—ensuring that no child, elder, or person with special needs is left without help due to financial hardship.
Mental Health & Emotional Support
We recognize the emotional and psychological toll illness can bring. Our dedicated team provides counseling and mental health services to patients, families, and caregivers facing the weight of pediatric cancer, autism, aging, or end-of-life realities.
Spiritual Care
Guided by Christ’s love, we offer spiritual support and pastoral care, walking alongside individuals and families through grief, fear, and uncertainty—with the hope and comfort found in faith.
Training and Education
We equip families with tools, knowledge, and training to better care for their loved ones—whether managing childhood cancer, supporting a child with autism, or caring for an aging parent.
End-of-Life and Hospice Care
We provide compassionate palliative and hospice care that upholds dignity, relieves suffering, and surrounds patients and families with peace during life’s final stages. At Adonai’s Mercy House, we believe that every life, regardless of age, ability, or diagnosis, is precious and worthy of love, care, and dignity. From the youngest child to the eldest elder, we serve with mercy, across borders and beyond barriers.