Couple seeks help from Negrenses for daughter fighting for life in hospital

BACOLOD CITY — The four-year-old granddaughter of a couple who has roots in Silay City, Negros Occidental, is fighting for her life at a Metro Manila hospital and needs help.

Kassandra Eva Marie Legarde is confined at the pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) of the  St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig City and her medical bills are now over P1 million.

The bills are beyond what her parents can afford, and the machine that she may need to save her life will cost about  P210,000 a day.

Kassandra is the granddaughter of Art and Lucille Lagarde and the only child of  John Karlo and Elaine  Legarde.

John Karlo said they are appealing for financial help because “Kassy is a wonderful, smart, loving child who is a fighter and has her whole life ahead of her.”

“What started out as a common virus among children called the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has wreaked havoc on Kassy’s respiratory system and caused secondary bacterial infection, and as of Monday septic shock,” he said.

The girl was brought to St. Luke’s Hospital on July 26, and from regular confinement, her condition deteriorated quickly, and she was transferred to the ICU the next day, John Karlo said.

“We initially feared it was COVID-19, but it is not. Sadly, it seems much worse. She is unresponsive to the powerful antibiotics her doctors have given her. They have also given her Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIg) in an attempt to increase her antibodies,” he said.

Since July 30, the child has been intubated and sedated.

“We and our prayer warriors were all hoping that by now, the virus would have finished its journey through her body but because of her weakened immune system, things have taken a turn for the worse,” he said.

He said they were informed by their daughter’s doctors that as a last-ditch effort, she may have to be attached to a machine that supports the organs and allows the patient time to recuperate.

“We, her parents, are both employed and working but have now depleted all our resources. Family and friends have come forward to help in whatever way they can, but seeing the long battle ahead, we are forced to seek the kindness of other people for Kassy’s sake,” he said.

John Karlo can be reached at 0917-300-3821 and Elaine at 0917-146-4550.

Those who wish to help may make deposits to  BPI Savings Account No. 2959059368 of John Karlo L. Legarde.