A mother’s appeal: Help my son live longer

John Marvin Estorico

Life was normal for John Marvin Estorico until July 2016 when he suddenly vomited in class.

“I brought him immediately to the barangay health center where he was found to have a urinary tract infection,” said his mother, Marissa.

The boy underwent medication but when the symptoms persisted, he went to a hospital in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, where tests showed he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

“His white blood cell count was high. They told us that my son needed to be admitted but there was no available bed. So we were referred to another Cavite hospital where we stayed for two days,” Marissa said.

Upon a neighbor’s recommendation, Marissa and her husband, Albino, a factory worker, took John Marvin to Philippine General Hospital in Manila where doctors recommended chemotherapy for the 8-year-old child.

“After one year of chemotherapy, we noticed that my son’s smile was crooked. It was a sign of relapse, doctors told us. So he was admitted for one week,” she said.

John Marvin’s smile has since returned to normal. His first maintenance five-cycle chemotherapy treatment will begin on July 27 at P36,000 per session.

“We were told that our son has just weeks or months to live but he has suddenly become stronger. Please help him live longer,” said Marissa who can be reached at 0909-7343847.

For donations, her Landbank account is #0596-1742-30 under the name Marissa Estorico.