Girl with congenital heart disease needs financial help
By Santiago Alcantara
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 01:14:00 03/07/2008
MANILA, Philippines – Jamie Anne Contreras and her grandmother Josefina Cartas had been to the Inquirer office twice to follow up on the 4-year-old girl’s medical assistance request for her congenital heart disease.
On both occasions, they traveled with only P30 to Makati City from where they temporarily stay in a relative’s house in Habay, Bacoor, Cavite.
“Before we left home, I asked God to provide us with our fare on our way back. I have to find donors for the heart operation of Jamie Anne,” said the vendor who makes a living selling puto (rice cake) at the prayer meetings of El Shaddai, a charismatic Catholic group, every Saturday.
A “blue baby,” Contreras was diagnosed at the Philippine Heart Center on East Avenue, Quezon City, in June 2004 to have PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) and TOF (tetralogy of fallot) congenital anomalies.
The Cartas family used to live in Barangay Malitlit in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, but floods caused by typhoon “Milenyo” in September 2006 swept their barong-barong away.
Jamie Anne has been under her grandmother Josefina’s care ever since her parents Frederick Cartas and Analyn Contreras went their separate ways.
“What keeps me going is Jamie Anne’s zest for life. She is full of energy despite her ailments. She is an intelligent girl,” said her grandmother.
The Cartas can be reached at 0921-214-3272.
Donations can be deposited in the account of Jamie Anne’s aunt Noveena Tiongco at Metrobank, Account No. 3146001654.
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