Kim John Moreno was only 7 years old in January 2016 when he started exhibiting the same symptoms as his older brother.
“We immediately brought him the following day to Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City,” said Maria Luisa, Moreno’s mother.
Laboratory tests and examinations confirmed that he also had beta thalassemia, a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin, leading to anemia.
Once a month, Moreno, who is now aged 10, goes to the hospital to undergo iron chelation therapy, or the removal of excess iron from his body.
His family spends at least P46,800 for the procedure, including blood transfusion (P10,800 for three bags of blood) and the intake of three types of medication (desferal, deferiprone and exjade).
“This is a lifetime condition over which we have no control. I am appealing for help from your readers. May God bless them,” Maria Luisa said.
She may be reached at 0948-3944068. Donations can be deposited in her Landbank account (Maria Luisa Moreno, account #3266 0978 82).