Help boy with rare disease

“Few things can break me. Consider this to be one of them.”

This was how 30-year-old Beverly Lopez described her pain when her 7-month-old baby, Gestalt Lucis, was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease.

The rare disease affects just eight out of 100,000 children, mostly under the age of 5. It causes the inflammation of the vascular system, generally affecting medium-sized arteries. While the cause is still unknown, its symptoms include nonstop fever, conjunctivitis with no exudates (muta), rashes and red, cracked lips.

“Lucis is now experiencing all these symptoms and is in danger of [developing] coronary artery aneurysm, leading to fatalities. Treatment must be given within the seventh and 10th day of fever or the chances of aneurysm gets higher,” Beverly said.

The boy has been confined since March 5 at Clinica Antipolo Hospital and Wellness Center in Antipolo City under the care of Dr. Ana Abrea.

Because the baby’s father, John Abrena, recently had gallbladder surgery, the family’s savings have been depleted. As of March 11, Gestalt Lucis’ hospital bills totaled P130,000, excluding laboratory tests.

Beverly is humbly asking for donations which can be coursed through her Kickstarter (https://gogetfunding.com/kawasakis-disease-treatment-for-gestalt-lucis/) or any of her bank accounts: account name Beverly Lopez BPI Savings (Account No. 1899-8603-02), Metrobank Savings (4023-4023-84949) and BDO (4630-2194-74). She can be reached at 0977-7533414. —ANNELLE TAYAO-JUEGO