MANILA, Philippines – Bryan Cachuela must be missing playing basketball now that he is handicapped. His left leg has been amputated to stop the disease brought by osteosarcoma from spreading to other parts of his body.

The 20-year-old native of Cabanatuan City, who also used to play the piano for a church choir in their hometown, is now undergoing “electrotherapy” somewhere in Navotas City free of charge, his mother Esalenia said.

Her son is supposed to undergo six sessions of therapy at the Philippine General Hospital on Taft Avenue, Manila, at the cost of P20,000 per session. But her husband’s earnings as a tricycle driver are not enough to even pay for their bus fare to Manila, Esalenia added.

Cachuela complained of an aching left leg in June last year after playing basketball, the 44-year-old housewife said.

“Things happened so fast. There were two biopsies conducted on him and before we knew it, his left leg was amputated on Dec. 3,” she said.
The results of the chest X-ray taken last March showed the cancer had spread to Bryan’s lungs, his mother added.

Those who want to help Bryan can reach him at his cell phone, 09063908012. Deposits can be made to his cousin Susie A. Torres’ Metrobank account number 3119448370 (Cabanatuan City branch).