8 chemo sessions down, 6 more to go for boy with leukemia

Danfritz Ruiz

When Danfritz Ruiz began coughing incessantly in June 2016, the doctors in his hometown of Cauayan City in Isabela province said he had primary tuberculosis.

But his parents, Rowena and Dante, wanted a second opinion. “We brought him to the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City where doctors told us that there was no problem with his lungs,” Rowena told the Inquirer.

Tests later showed that their only child, now 5 years old, had acute lymphoblastic leukemia. After he completed the initial treatment, doctors recommended that he undergo 14 chemotherapy sessions.

Ruiz has so far completed eight and will undergo the ninth session later this week. Each session costs P16,800.

He and his family have also moved to Manila, to be as close as possible to the hospital. Dante has become a tricycle driver to provide for his family.

“I am appealing to your readers to kindly shoulder the expenses for the remaining chemotherapy sessions. May God bless you more this 2019,” Rowena said.

She can be reached at 0955-3242669. Donations may be deposited in her BPI account (Rowena Ruiz, account number 4989 1515 63).