BEA's Appeal
Bea A. Liwanag was a bubbly 16-year-old until she was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia last January. She needs $200,000 (P11.2 million) for an operation that could save her life. Bea's mother, Dolores A. Liwanag, is appealing for your help. Together we can save this girl's life.
I am writing in behalf of my daughter, Bea A. Liwanag, a typical 16 year old, until Jan. 20, 2004, when she had to be hospitalized due to Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.
At 2:30 a.m. of Jan 20, 2004, Bea woke up with extreme pains in her hips. We brought her to the ER of the Makati Medical Center where x-rays and blood tests were done. After the x-rays revealed that Bea had a initial symptoms of scoliosis, she was given pain reliever and we were instructed to follow up with our orthopedic doctor. At 10:30, I brought Bea to the Philippine Orthopedic Institute. Since there were 6 other patients ahead of her, we decided to walk over to Makati Medical to pick-up her x-ray films and blood test results. The CBC and platelet count results of Bea were way off normal standards that I proceeded to her Pediatrician, Dr, Rosario Marin after the ER. Without any trace or symptoms, Bea was walking around with a 20 k platelet count (normal is 150k - 300K), RBC 2.0 (normal is 4-6), Hemoglobin of 7.1 (normal is 14-20), hematocrit is .2 (normal is .4 - .6) and WBC 19,630 (normal is 5k - 10k). This prompted the Pediatrician to have Bea confined and was referred to a Hematologist, Dr. Allan Racho, who in turn requested for immediate transfusion of 5 units platelet and 1 unit packed RBC. It was also discovered that Bea had a difficult blood type, AB+, thus making the immediate transfusion impossible since we had to source the blood from donors.
Various blood work-up was done to Bea that led to the initial findings of Leukemia. A Bone Marrow Aspiration was done on Jan. 21, 2004 which confirmed the initial findings and disclosed further that type of Leukemia, Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The news devastated my husband and myself and our other relatives. Like any other parent, we could not believe that this was happening to our eldest, a bubbly 16 year-old girl, full of life, dreams and aspirations. In a mater of hours, Bea, an active 3rd year high school student of the Assumption Convent, SLV, life was changed drastically, from quitting school, missing her prom and her friends and most especially facing the uncertainty of whether she will get better. Even how difficult it was, we had to tell Bea her condition and what lies ahead for her. Her initial reaction was one of fear and anxiety as this was just such an enormous trial that a 16 year old had to face. In spite of the fear and anxiety seen in her face, Bea just asked me one question, “Will I live, mom?” In spite of the pain I was feeling, I had to be strong and told Bea that we will have to be strong and trust in the Lord. With the grace of the Almighty we will beat this disease.
The Doctors started Bea on an initial course of 7day/24 hours aggressive chemotherapy last Jan. 23, 2004 in the hope for a remission to prepare her of a bone marrow transplant. Bea has been hospitalized eight times since Jan. 20, 2004, which included two regular-course chemotherapies ( 1st on Jan 23 which had very good results and 2nd on Mar 2, 2004 which Bea did not respond to due to the increased presence of the cancer cells per her blood test last April 4), once for an infection she contacted in Feb. 15, 2004, twice for blood transfusions and once for the very aggressive High dose Chemotherapy last April 19. After 4weeks her blood tests revealed the presence of leukemia cells. This was confirmed by the bone marrow test done on June 1st 2004.
At this point Bea was described to be non-responsive to treatment and declared to have refractory acute myeloid leukemia. She cannot have more chemotherapy as this may prove too toxic if she received more. Thus, her only hope would be a bone marrow transplant. Last January, Bea’s 3 siblings have been tissue-typed as possible donors with a hope for the procedure to be done in the Philippines. Unfortunately, none of her siblings match Bea’s tissues on a 6/6 ratio.
In desperation, I searched the web last May 21, 2004 and tried my luck with the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) and requested for a preliminary search for a donor for Bea. By the goodness of the Lord, NMDP faxed to Dr. Racho last May 24 a communication indicating that Bea had 8 potential 6/6 matches. For Bea to avail of their program, the transplant must be performed in a member transplant center of our choice, of which there is none in the Philippines. The nearest member transplant centers to the Philippines are located in Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, China and Hong Kong. Our choice center is the Tzu Chi Foundation in Taiwan. Per instruction of NMDP, our physician must coordinate and refer Bea to the coordinator of the transplant center.
Initial discussion with Tzu Chi Foundation disclosed that transplant cost would be in the vicinity of US$200,000.00, exclusive of board and lodging (when Bea is out of the hospital) & airfare. It was likewise indicated that Bea will have to stay for a minimum of 6 months in Taiwan after the transplant. In the meantime, Bea is being treated for a infection and was given a 4th course of chemotherapy to prevent a full blown relapse and in the hope of achieving a remission to increase the success of a transplant. We have started the formal search for a bone marrow donor by submitting blood samples from Bea to Tzu Chi Stem Cell Center to confirm her blood tissue type which will be sent to the NMDP.
At present, I am employed with a bank while my husband is a free lance insurance agent. We have three other children ages, 14, 10 & 7. This situation is something that we never expected or prepared for financially. With the difficulty of the times our income is just sufficient to support the basic needs of our family. I have to be candid and admit that the required $200,000.00, and existing hospital bills already amounting to P2,500,000.00, is way beyond our means. We thank the Lord, however, for generous donors who have helped us with some initial expenses including blood donations.
In this regard, may I appeal for your generosity and financial assistance for Bea’s plight in the hope to raise funds for Bea’s Bone Marrow Transplant to accord her 16 year old a chance to realize her dreams and aspirations which were disrupted because of a dreaded disease. In the Philippines you may course your donation thru any branch of Banco de Oro Universal Bank (S/A #1200066853). International donors may send in their donations thru Banco de Oro Universal Bank(Herrera Branch, Makati City) S/A # 1200059156: account of Dolores A. Liwanag.
May the goodness of the Lord be always with you.
PHILIPPINES:
Dolores A. Liwanag
2391 Dapdap St., United Hills Village,
Paranaque City, M.M., Philippines 1700
ebrite@surfshop.net.ph
https://www.bealiwanag.com
Tel. +6327766097, +639209081440
USA:
Please Contact:
LYN REINOSO (314)725-3961/(314)863-4114
OR YOU MAY SEND IN YOUR DONATIONS TO
BEA LIWANAG C/O LYN REINOSO
7500 AMHERST AVE. UNIVERSITY CITY, MO 63130.
CHECK PAYABLE TO: BEA A. LIWANAG C/O ROSARIO REINOSO.
OR EMAIL donations@bealiwanag.com FOR QUESTIONS.
This is a forwarded e-mail from my sister. She got it herself as a forwarded mail from quesci91@yahoogroups.com. Whoever maybe interested, please contact the person in the address & contact details above. Thanks so much in advance.
Posted by missP at August 25, 2004 12:45 AM