Boy with leukemia needs a bone marrow transplant ASAP

MANILA, Philippines—John Andrew Jacinto, a 12-year-old Filipino who lives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has one wish: That the Saudi Arabia government and other kind-hearted people around the world would help him get a bone marrow transplant.

Last year, John Andrew was diagnosed with leukemia. He has been undergoing chemotherapy since then.

“I am in complete remission and this is the best time to do a bone marrow transplant but my family cannot afford the cost and our insurance does not cover this type of treatment,” he said in his letter to the Inquirer.

Since his treatment started, his parents, who are from Tarlac, have spent more than half a million riyals. Roderick works for a health water bottling company while Elenita is a nurse.

“I have three sisters and a brother that my parents also have to care for. Please help me beat this disease and give me a chance to live a healthy life,” John Andrew said.

Elenita can be contacted through e-mail at [email protected]. John Andrew’s grandmother, Jovita Gonzales, can be reached at 09151951187. Donations can be coursed through her bank account with RCBC (Tarlac City branch) with account number 1330418628. Santiago R. Alcantara