Congenital disease threatens 5-year-old girl’s dream of taking up med

Chloe Grace Fajardo

A congenital disease that was not detected during a newborn screening test is threatening Chloe Grace Fajardo’s dream of becoming a doctor.

Fajardo, a 5-year-old kindergarten student, was recently diagnosed to be suffering from Arteriovenous Malfunction or AVM.

Described as a tangle of abnormal blood vessels connecting arteries and veins to the brain, AVM disrupts an important process.

It prevents arteries from taking oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain, and veins from carrying the oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs and heart.

Mobility affected

“A vein connected to her brain just burst without any warning signs. Chloe is conscious and responsive but she is unable to move her left leg and arm. She complains of pain in the neck and head,” Fajardo’s mother, Merlinda, told the Inquirer.

Doctors at Medical Center Muntinlupa in Muntinlupa City have recommended that Fajardo undergo endovascular embolization to improve her condition.

The operation, which aims to treat abnormal blood vessels, will cost P400,000.

Merlinda and her husband, Fabian, asked Inquirer readers for help in raising the money.
The couple, who work as call center agents, live in San Pedro, Laguna. They are expecting their third child at any time.

“Please help ease our financial burden for Chloe’s medical expenses. She is a bright child. She dreams of becoming a doctor someday. Please help her achieve her dreams,” Merlinda said.

Her husband, Fabian, can be reached at 0922-8000101. Donations for Chloe’s operation can be deposited in her mother’s BPI account (Merlinda Fajardo account #3549-2257-39).