Cancer victim from Laguna, Philippines--37 years old, father of two kids--needs your help, kind people!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ervin is 37 years old and has Stage 4, Gastric Cancer. He is from Liliw town of  Laguna, Philippines. His wife and two young kids have set up a GoFundMe page for him (courtesy of Aziza, his wife's cousin who is based in Britain).

Ervin is a former cook in a fastfood restaurant in Quezon City, Philippines, then transferred to their residence in Liliw to look after their children who are studying in the town; and do some planting and take care of some pigs for sale. His wife continued to work in Quezon City and went home to Liliw on weekends.

Here is the link to Ervin's GoFundMe page. https://gofund.me/faea56ef

Any amount you can spare going toward Ervin's immediate medication (surgery and ongoing chemotherapy) will be much appreciated. Below is the text that appears on that page. Thanks very much for your help. Here's a prayer also for other cancer victims around the world!

 

from https://gofund.me/faea56ef--

Hi, my name is Aziza and I am raising funds for Ervin in Laguna, Philippines. My cousin Kate's husband who is diagnosed last January with Stage IV Gastric Cancer.

Ervin has had a long journey of surgery and chemotherapy sessions. But every time he does chemo, he is always admitted first for a blood transfusion due to very low levels of haemoglobin. The CT scans have shown there were no significant changes and there was an increase in the size of his lymph nodes.

Last July 24-27, Ervin was admitted at Healthway Qualimed for blood transfusion and endoscopy (and did some tests). His gastro showed us there was bleeding in his stomach which is why his haemoglobin is always decreasing. He has no choice but to undergo surgery again this August to stop the bleeding.

As Kate is currently the sole provider and looking after their two children, external support to help fund Ervin's medical expenses would be greatly appreciated.Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this and for your contribution - large or small.

  

Filipino girl with leukemia needs help

 (Reprinted from https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/444433/girl-with-leukemia-appeals-for-urgent-help-3) (Posted May 21, 2022)

Lhera Suela needs your help!

A 16-year-old girl from Calape, Bohol (Philippines) is heartily appealing for urgent financial help as she fights the big C through chemotherapy treatment.   

Lhera Suela was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on October 29, 2021. Her condition began when she complained of joint pains in December 2019. Because of that, her parents brought her to Cebu City for consultation. She was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and medications were given. Her complete blood count during that time was within normal level. The joint pains disappeared but returned several months later. In September 2021, her joint pains worsened. She was also experiencing fever and unusual paleness. Her body was very weak causing her to be dizzy when walking. These alarming manifestations prompted them to seek for medical help once again. Complete blood count was done and it showed high white blood cell count with low hemoglobin, and low platelet count. Consequently, they were again referred to Cebu City to pursue specialised care. She then underwent a bone marrow aspiration to determine the cause of her condition. When the results came out, it revealed that she has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer of the blood which commonly affects children. This terrifying disease is characterized by the abnormal increase in the production of immature lymphocytes by the bone marrow causing its build up in the blood while crowding out healthy cells. Yet despite its detrimental effects to the body, there is a high chance of cure for children who are treated promptly with intensive chemotherapy.

Lhera’s first dose of chemotherapy was administered on November 5, 2021. Her attending hematologist-oncologist prescribed a treatment protocol that they will follow for the next three years in order to achieve thorough healing. Indeed, the lengthy treatment and its costly nature bring overwhelming physical challenges to the child and financial burdens to the parents. At present, she is on reinduction phase of her treatment. Her weekly chemotherapy sessions come at a high cost. In addition to that, laboratory workups and other medical procedures are also carried out regularly. Her medical expenses are estimated to reach up to P12,000 every week.

Lhera is a goodhearted girl who obeys and appreciates her parents. She is also a great help at home as she performs household chores with joy. Her hobbies include drawing and painting. She also wants to become a nurse someday. As the first of the two siblings, her family loves and values her deeply. When asked about her wish for her daughter, her mother tenderly answered, “My only wish is that she will come out successful in her treatment so that she can reach her ambitions in life.” Her father, the sole breadwinner of the family, works as a fisherman and earns around P1,000 every week depending on the week’s catch. Her mother, a housewife, takes good care of them. The COVID-19 pandemic and typhoon Odette intensified the obstacles that they are going through. Moreover, Lhera’s ongoing chemotherapy had already exhausted their financial resources. Truly, they are in desperate need of help. Hence, in order to save Lhera’s life and sustain her ongoing treatment, her parents are humbly pleading for financial assistance from generous individuals who are willing to share their blessings.

Those who wish to donate may contact Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. – Cebu through these cellphone numbers 0945-712-6657 or 0932-443-7135. You can also deposit donations directly to Unionbank (a Philippine bank) under account name Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. – Cebu and account number 00-112-000066-2. Please indicate the name of the patient on the deposit slip.

Baby in Cebu, Philippines, needs urgent help for heart surgery!

 

Source: https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/376312/baby-with-heart-defect-urgently-needs-help-for-surgery

A one-year-old girl from Barangay Cubacob, Mandaue City is in immediate need of financial help for her upcoming open-heart surgery. Niña Clare Anore (please see her photo from the original article) was diagnosed with Congenital Heart Disease on March 6, 2021. Her debilitating diagnosis includes the following heart defects: Double Outlet Right Ventricle with Pulmonary Stenosis, Large Ventricular Septal Defect, and Right Ventricular Hypertrophy. A few days before her diagnosis, her body temperature was high and she experienced episodes of cyanosis, a bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by low oxygen levels in the red blood cells or problems getting oxygenated blood to the entire body. These cyanotic spells lasted for a few seconds and made her body very weak. Because of these alarming symptoms of a disease, her parents brought her to a physician for medical consultation.

After that, laboratory procedures and diagnostic tests were done. Then, the echocardiographic report was released and it confirmed her diagnosis. Congenital Heart Disease is a heart abnormality present at birth. The problem can affect the heart walls, valves, and blood vessels. There are numerous types of congenital heart defects. They can range from simple conditions to complex problems that cause severe, life-threatening symptoms.

Following her diagnosis, her attending pediatric cardiologist prescribed oral medications and advised her parents that she needs to undergo open-heart surgery as soon as possible. Open heart surgery is a major operation to repair a defect or damage in the heart. The operation requires the surgeon to open the chest to access the heart in order to fix the defective muscles, valves, or blood vessels. Due to the delicate nature of the surgery, her parents decided that the operation will be performed in a prestigious hospital in Metro Manila on the first week of May 2021. The surgery is projected to cost around P900,000 to P1,000,000.

Despite her enfeebling heart condition, Niña Clare is an active little girl. She still loves to move and play. As the first child of the family, she is deeply loved and valued by her parents. Her father, a private school teacher, earns at least Philippine Pesos (PHP)12,200 every month. Her mother, a housewife, takes good care of the whole family. Due to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, their family’s financial capacity is severely strained and has further tightened their financial and economic condition. They are indeed unable to bear by themselves the costly treatment. Together with the help of various benevolent groups, her parents were able to raise PHP500,000 for Niña Clare’s upcoming surgery. The family still lacks PHP400,000 to PHP500,000. Thus, her parents are wholeheartedly appealing to generous individuals for financial assistance that will surely play a key role in saving Niña Clare’s life. When asked about their wish for their precious child, her parents with one accord responded, “We genuinely love her and want the best for her.” “We wish that her defective heart will be fixed and that we will be able to provide for her treatment financially,” they added.

Those who wish to donate may contact Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Inc.–Cebu through cellphone number 0933-194-0197 or kindly deposit donations directly to Unionbank under account name Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Inc.–Cebu and account number 00-112-000066-2. Please indicate the name of the patient in the deposit slip.

Happy 2021 to all!

 With Christmas 2020 season just ending this Sunday with the celebration of the Epiphany, the new year of 2021 is beginning to rise more actively with its beginning days. But, then, amid the still ongoing pandemic, "actively" is, I guess, well, too active a word to use in describing the early period of 2021. 

Indeed, COVID-19 still holds the world hostage to its destruction to life. We can only hope and pray--while taking all health precautions--that this nightmare would end the soonest possible time. 

In the meantime, we should not and cannot let COVID-19 break our spirit. So, I'm still wishing everyone a happy new year and may all be blessed...and be vaccinated soon.

Two inspiring songs composed by Filipinos for the world

 Here are two songs that can give us strength while fighting Covid-19:

"Just Believe" Music by Ryan Cayabyab. Lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRmy5wNFSC4




"We Heal as One" Music by Ryan Cayabyab. Lyrics by Floy Quintos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0jwHzGUGCg

Fighting Coronavirus in 2020

Everybody on Earth--HOLD ON amid this Coronavirus pandemic that is holding us all hostage. Even as we are being asked to do social distancing as among the precautionary measures against the virus, let's not forget to be people who care for one another. Everyday is a challenge--so many deaths (even among health professionals taking care of the sick), so many afflicted, and so many potential victims of the virus if we don't all take care.

Just hold on, do our best to be resilient and safe, and continue to pray.

God bless.