Wednesday 9 March 2011

A Father's Appeal

I am sharing this one hoping that someone out there could help this father crying for help for his beloved son. I don't know him personally. I just read this one from a newspaper and I will have a feeling of guilt if I don't share it here. Afterall, this blog is all about overcoming adversities.

Here is an appeal from a loving father Eddie Alinea, a Filipino sports writer.

“In September 2007, my son, Wendell Rupert Alinea, was diagnosed with the very rare Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia. He had undergone three cycles of chemotherapy and finished his two-year maintenance therapy in December 2010. Me, my wife Annie and the family were so relieved that his medications were finally over and were excited for him to start 2011 with a new beginning.

“Then he started having coughs, colds and eventually high fevers. We thought it was just a simple viral infection. He was in and out of the hospital, underwent every test possible, all with the same result — negative. His doctor performed another Bone Marrow Biopsy. A week later, we were told he had a relapse. His leukemia was back.

“His doctor advised him to undergo another cycle of chemotherapy or he could try using Arsenic Trioxide, the standard care in relapsed APL. This is less toxic than chemo and he will probably be the first Filipino to ever try it.

“However, this drug is not available in the Philippines or anywhere near. It is very expensive and getting it requires a prescription from a licensed doctor in the US or UK. He will need 30 vials, one for each day. He will stay in Bone Marrow Transplant unit for a month. Then his doctor will prepare him for his Bone Marrow Transplant. He will go through chemotherapy just before his transplant and be confined for five or more weeks.

“My son is a good, very talented man and still loves to live. He is fighting and will never give up. Please help him. He needs all kinds of support, especially prayers.”

Please include in your prayers Wendell Alinea.  If any of the readers of this blog wants to help financially, please contact Mr. F. Pascual, the columnist whom this appeal letter was shared to.  Scroll down at the bottom of his column at Philstar to find his email address.

God bless us all.......

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