Monday, December 03, 2007 Baguio boy makes sure ailing girl completes chemo
WHEN Baguio boy Irwin Ilustre learned that Ericka Madriaga, a 10-year-old girl from Loakan Liwanag here, had her fifth chemotherapy last November 2, he e-mailed his concern:
“Ericka had her fifth chemotherapy, and doctors prescribed chemo every 21 days. Has she had her sixth chemo yet? I can cover her sixth chemo as it’s past the 21 days already since the last one.”
Ericka, the second of three daughters of a farmer from Tubao, La Union, should be in the fourth grade now. As the school year was ending last March, however, she experienced pain in her right foot.
Doctors confirmed it was due to osteosarcoma, or cancer of the bone. They recommended six chemotherapy sessions every 21 days, estimated at P8,200 per session.
“Through the assistance extended by some family relatives, welfare agencies and private individuals, (she) was able to complete four sessions,” noted Social Welfare Officer Cynthia Langagan in her social case study report.
Early October, Barangay Loakan Liwanag chairwoman Josephine Mariano appealed for support. “I am attesting to the indigency and financial incapability of the family to support the medical treatment of their daughter, Ericka.”
Late October, a Baguio-Benguet girl living with her young daughter in Kentucky sent US$200 (converted by the drawee bank at P8,590.70) for whoever needed it most. It was the latest in a series of remittances she made for indigent patients.
Like her previous transmittals, it was to celebrate her having survived breast cancer three years ago. Besides, she added, October was Breast Cancer Awareness month.
The donation came just when Ericka’s mother Lourdes was out looking for Samaritans. Of the amount, P8,200 paid for Ericka’s fifth chemo last November 2. The remaining amount served as cash gift to Christopher, a special kid who was born with cerebral palsy. The donor met him during her morning walks at the Wright Park two years before she resettled in the US.
Last weekend, Irwin, who is now based in Canada, learned of Ericka’s need to have her last chemotherapy. He called up his sister Juliet to make sure the treatment protocol would be completed.
Juliet found Ericka was back in the hospital, this time due to tonsillitis. She handed Lourdes, the girl’s mother, P13,500, just to be sure it was enough for the procedure. Ericka was the latest patient here that Irwin, through his sister, had reached out to.
Lourdes, a seamstress, is the lone breadwinner in the family. Her husband Ricardo used to work in a farm in La Union but later quit due to poor health.
“Siya po ang nagbabantay sa aming mga anak,” Lourdes said. (RD)
