Ex-teacher battling prostate cancer, diabetes

MENDOZA

Instead of enjoying retirement, Juan Mendoza has been battling prostate cancer and diabetes.

The former high school teacher of Rizal City School in Pasay City who taught English and History lives with his wife, Elena, a retired pharmacist herself, in Molino, Bacoor City, with a one-year-old grandchild “to keep the house noisy.”

“I am respectfully requesting  your humanitarian and charitable [assistance]… for my continuous intake of medicine because of my condition. I am now disabled, downtrodden and in financial distress,” Mendoza said in his letter to the Inquirer.

The 74-year-old Mendoza has been scheduled for surgery at University of Santo Tomas Hospital for prostate cancer although he and his wife do not know where they would get the P80,000 they need for the operation.

The couple have three children but they have their own families to look after. The retirement benefits he and his wife receive are for their daily expenses and maintenance medicine, he said.

Those who want to help the couple can contact them at 0917-4721322. Donations are welcome and can be deposited in Juan Mendoza’s Allied Bank account (account number 1890-10836-9).