Single mom struggles to pay for leukemic son’s treatment

Charlie Arce Jamison

MANILA, Philippines — When he grows up, 8-year-old Charlie Arce Jamison wants to be a nurse so he can help children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) just like him.

In 2015, Jamison was playing with his brother when he suddenly tripped and his right ankle became swollen.

When the swelling persisted after two weeks and her son developed an on-and-off fever, Grace Arlante decided to bring him to a “manghihilot.”

It was only after they went to a hospital, where various tests were conducted, that they found out that Jamison had ALL and needed to undergo treatment.

“We completed the 12 cycles of his chemotherapy but, unfortunately, he suffered a relapse,” Arlante said.

In December 2020, her son’s doctor at Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) told them that high-risk cancer cells had been detected again in his body and he must go through a second round of 12-cycle chemotherapy costing P771,957.

The amount, however, covers only the medicines for the treatment protocol, Arlante said. They also need extra money to pay for the procedures and required laboratory tests. However, they have yet to be given an estimate for these by the hospital.

In addition, the requirement of presenting negative swab tests for Jamison and herself before every checkup or chemotherapy session at PCMC is another financial burden on Arlante.

According to her, her minimum wage income of P420 as a housekeeper in a provincial hospital is barely enough to cover her family’s monthly expenses.

The single parent, along with her two sons, relies on her mother’s help to make ends meet.

“It’s been eight years and I’m just really grateful to our kindhearted donors who have continued to help my son ever since he was a baby. They are a great help to a single mother like me,” Arlante said, adding that she—just like any other parent—would do anything to ensure that her son gets better.

To help pay for Jamison’s medical expenses, donations can be deposited in BDO account no. 001040215759 under the account name Charlie Arce Jamison. Arlante can be contacted at 0905-5158542.