Poor cancer patients get funding support

ILOILO CITY—Nine days after he celebrated his sixth birthday with his family and friends in a fast-food chain in Iloilo City on June 26, Kyle Ferolino succumbed to acute lymphocytic leukemia, a fast-growing cancer of the blood, which had worsened despite chemotherapy.

Although saddened by his death, a group of volunteers, who had helped Kyle and his family cope with his condition, has not given up hope.

“We want to give hope to the children and their parents and make it easier for them in whatever way. Miracles can and do happen,” said Dr. Ma. Socorro Martinez, president of the Iloilo-based Mga Kaibigan ng mga Kabataang may Kanser (KKK).

The KKK is composed of volunteers who help raise funds for the treatment of children with cancer. It has been assisting 16 cancer-stricken children aged 7 months to 17 years coming from indigent families, Martinez said.

Since 2007, seven of the children, including Kyle, have died while the whereabouts of two others remain unknown. “The parents of the two children we could not contact could have given up hope and stopped seeking treatment,” Martinez said.

Costly treatment

The KKK started in 2007 as an initiative of Martinez, whose mother died of gastric cancer in 2005, and her friend, Sol Fernandez, a dance choreographer and studio owner. Martinez’s work as a radiologist also linked her to cancer patients.

“A chemotherapy costs around P7,500 per session and we thought of helping the families of the patients seek treatment,” she said.

The group’s first fund-raising venture was a two-day dance show in Iloilo City in 2007. Eight friends who were also passionate about helping children with cancer assisted Fernandez and Martinez.

The two-day show generated P200,000, which was donated to three young cancer patients confined in city hospitals. But more than the funds generated, it encouraged other individuals to help.

Thus, the KKK was formed. Now, it has 15 members, including seven doctors, a nurse, a priest, a student and a journalist. Most of them want to help without any publicity, Martinez said.

7 recipients

The KKK has continued to support seven recipients by soliciting donations. Sometimes, the members themselves shell out money. They conduct house visits to the recipients.

“When you get patients as recipients, you get them for life. At times, we have to shoulder their fare from their homes to seek treatment,” Martinez said.

The recipients are chosen by the group based on the recommendation of two members who are hema-oncologists (physicians specializing in blood cancer).

The death of a recipient delivers a heavy blow to the members. “As a doctor, I should maintain a certain detachment from patients but how can you be detached to something you are passionate about?” Martinez said.

When one of the children died in 2008, Martinez said she had wanted to give up in frustration.

But the thought of giving an inkling of hope made her go on.

A place of their own

She is hoping that the group could raise enough funds for a place for children with cancer in hospitals or a separate center. They are confined in pediatric wards and sections of hospitals, while those who are in serious condition stay in isolation rooms.

Although hospitals have enough expertise and equipment to care for the children, the costs are expensive.

Martinez said a patient undergoing chemotherapy needs at least P30,000 per month or P180,000 for their six remaining recipients. This excludes medicines and other expenses.

The KKK plans to hold a film showing to raise funds. “There are still many things that we can and should do,” Martinez said.