Despite being diagnosed with leukemia in 2005, John Lenard Cavaneyro has refused to stop his schooling. The plucky 12-year-old boy has been consistently among the top 10 in his Grade 5 class.
Right after his ailment was discovered, the young boy successfully underwent chemotherapy.
Everything went well until John suffered a relapse in 2009. Doctors recently told his mother, Josefina, that he must undergo a second round of chemotherapy.
“I asked the doctors at Philippine Children’s Medical Center why it happened. They told us that the virus must have hidden itself in other parts of my son’s body during the first round of treatment,” she told the Inquirer in Filipino.
But despite his illness, John is bent on continuing his studies.
“I dissuaded him from enrolling this year but it was his decision. He said it would be lonely to stay at home with me while his two siblings
and playmates are in school,” Josefina said.
She added, “After his checkup, he would insist on going to school even though he would be late. His teachers would always understand.”
Josefina said she was appealing to kind donors because her son needs to undergo five more cycles to complete his treatment. To do so, however, the family needs P275,000, excluding laboratory fees.
Josefina can be reached at 0920-6038039. Donations can be coursed through her Landbank account (Josefina Cavaneyro with account number 3466012709).