ABOUT 120 children from different provinces in Northern Mindanao that are suffering from leukemia and anemia were given free medical check-up by the Provincial Capitol in cooperation with the Leukemia Patients and Parents Organization (Leupapo) Thursday, May 11.
The patients, who were aged 3 to about 15 years old are members of the Leupapo and came as far as the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Zamboanga, and Camiguin. They traveled to Cagayan de Oro City for the free blood and medical check-up at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC).
Miguela Heinz Sumaylo, a 13-year-old leukemia patient form Barangay Agusan, said the joint programs of Leupapo and the Provincial Government helped in his recovery.
“Na diagnose ako nga naay leukemia katong three years old pa ko. Karon, sa kaluoy sa Ginoo ug sa tanang tabang sa LEUPAPO ug ni Governor Bambi, naa na ko sa final six months of observation sa akong therapy. (I was diagnosed with leukemia when I was three years old. Now, with the mercy of the Lord and with the help of Leupapo and Governor Bambi, I am at my final six months of observation in my therapy),” Sumaylo said.
Aside from the free medical consultation, the patients were also treated with a party by Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Vincente “Bambi” Emano.
Emano said he understands the plight of patients with leukemia and anemia in the region thus his support for the recovery of every patient.
“Di man nako masabtan ang hinungdan sa kini nga sakit, as long as ako gihapon ang gobyernador sa Misamis Oriental, ako jud ipaningkamot na matagaan mo ug sakto nga mga treatment. So bisan asa pa mo gikan, Zamboanga, Lanao, Bukidnon, adto ra mo dire, ug dawaton mo namo mga anak. (I may not understand the cause of this sickness as long as I am the governor of Misamis Oriental, I will work hard to provide the right treatment for you. Wherever you come from, Zamboanga, Lanao, Bukidnon, just come here and we will receive you, my children),” Emano said.
According to Myra Yee, the manager of Northern Mindanao Regional Blood Center, there is a need for more blood donations in the region to aid patients who are suffering from leukemia and anemia. There are indeed times when the blood supply in the blood center could not meet the need of the patients.
“This is why we are encouraging everyone to donate blood. It may not mean much for them but these children need fresh, clean blood regularly in order to live,” Yee said.
Interested donors could come to any Blood Center in the region to donate blood for the leukemia and anemia patients.