‘Lola’ rooting for ‘apo’ battling leukemia

Mark Janssen Portilla

After Mark Janssen Portilla practically became an orphan in 2012, his grandmother, Fe Portilla, started looking after him and his two siblings.

“His mother died due to complications in childbirth. His father later remarried,” Fe, 52, told the Inquirer.

In 2016, Portilla was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoblastic leukemia by doctors at Philippine General Hospital.

To make it easier for her grandson to undergo chemotherapy, Fe and Portilla have been staying at a charitable institution in Paco, Manila.

“We live in a squatters’ area in Carmona, Cavite, near a used oil factory. It stinks so it is not a good place for a sick person to live,” she said.

Portilla who is now 10 years old has stopped attending school because doctors have warned Fe against exposing him to physical and mental stress.

Of the 30 sessions of chemotherapy he is supposed to undergo for three years, Portilla has completed only nine.

He is scheduled to undergo his 10th session on June 29. Each session costs P23,000.

“We appeal to you and your readers for financial help. We sincerely thank all of you. May God bless your family,” said Fe who can be reached at 0933-4693995.

Those who want to help her grandson can deposit their donations in her Landbank account (# 3286-0751-25).