Despite blood disorder, altar boy’s faith in God remains strong

Patrick Manayan

MANILA, Philippines — His faith has helped Patrick Manayan throughout his five-year battle with beta thalassemia, a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin.

Manayan serves as an altar boy at Most Holy Rosary Parish Church in Rosario, Cavite province.

“He was diagnosed with the disease in 2014. The other patients we used to meet in the hospital corridors are gone but Patrick’s hopes remain high. He looks forward to a bright future,” said Manayan’s mother, Leila, who makes a living selling peanut butter.

Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. With thalassemia, red blood cells are destroyed at a faster rate, leading to anemia that can result in fatigue and other complications.

Leila said that her son, now aged 21, did not consider his ailment a hindrance to his ambition of becoming a certified public accountant.

Manayan is scheduled for a blood transfusion on June 24 at Philippine Children’s Medical Center, which continues to accommodate him despite his age. Each transfusion costs P10,000—equivalent to two bags of blood.

“I am appealing for help from your readers. May God continue to bless all of you for serving others just as He continues to bless Patrick with long life for serving the church,” Leila said.

She and her husband, Tomas, can be reached at 0935-5318575. Donations for her son’s blood transfusion can be deposited in her Landbank account (Leila Manayan, account No. 2716090291).