GEORGINA ALOMIA
Of Ma. Cristina Alomia’s five children, two have been diagnosed with beta thalassemia, a blood disorder that reduces the production of hemoglobin.
People with low levels of hemoglobin suffer from a lack of oxygen throughout the body, leading to the development of life-threatening anemia.
This can result in underdevelopment, jaundice, enlarged organs and misshapen bones. Georgina, aged 7, was born with the ailment while Love Joy, aged 20, started undergoing blood transfusions at 5 years old due to her condition.
Between the two girls, Georgina is in need of more help because her spleen has to be removed.
“The failure of her body to produce sufficient hemoglobin has enlarged her spleen which is supposed to filter her blood to purify it,” said their mother, a 44-year-old laundrywoman from Biñan, Laguna, who is also a single parent.
Doctors at Philippine Children’s Medical Center told Alomia that the operation to remove Georgina’s spleen would cost P93,000 plus an additional P10,000 for a vaccine.
“I am knocking on the hearts of your readers and asking them for their support. My children, who are the source of my happiness, are suffering from a lifelong condition,” she said.
Alomia can be reached at 0948-8266814. Donors can deposit their donations in her Landbank account (2386-1213-81). —Santiago R. Alcantara