Monthly checkups a must for 9-year-old girl with blood disorder

THE INFORMATION Jennifer Enriquez recently read on the Internet has given her hope that her daughter, Althea Enriquez, will finally be cured of beta thalassemia, a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin.

“It says that there is a possibility that a bone marrow transplant or  a stem cell transplant can cure it. But it costs more than a million pesos and the procedure is done in the United States. So I have to face the reality that it will be hard to make this happen,” Enriquez said.

She and her husband, factory worker Teody Enriquez, have been mired in debt since their 9-year-old girl was diagnosed with the disease six years ago.

ENRIQUEZ

The procedure would infused healthy cells, called stem cells, into Althea’s body to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow.

“Right now, we’re just continuing her treatment, letting her undergo blood transfusion every time she turns pale and lacks energy,” Enriquez said, adding that despite her ailment, her daughter has not dropped out of school.

Althea, now in Grade 4, must undergo monthly checkups at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center in Quezon City. For this, the couple spends P7,500 a month.

Those who wish to help can call Jennifer at 0921-7524309. Donations can be deposited in her husband’s Metrobank account (Teody Enriquez, account #33-0328006-6).