DONATIONS POUR IN FOR 2 BOYS WITH HEART AILMENTS
MANILA, January 14, 2006 (STAR) By Sheila Crisostomo - Despite the hard times, the Philippines does not lack good Samaritans.Donations are pouring in to fund the delicate surgery needed by two six-year-old boys born with life-threatening heart ailments. The parents of Kemp Benedicto Pring and Jefferson Vicencio never expected them to have a new lease on life.
"Nagulat po talaga ako sa dami ng tulong na dumating para sa anak ko. Nagpapasalamat po ako nang marami sa Diyos at sa lahat ng taong sumusuporta kay Kemp (I was really surprised when my child received so much help. I give thanks to God and to all those who supported Kemp)," his mother, Vilma, said.
Jeff’s father, Rudy, admitted that he was already losing hope that his son’s condition would be corrected.
"Natakot po ako sa maaaring mangyari sa anak ko. Wala kaming pera pangpa-opera sa kanya kaya nanganganib na mawala siya sa amin (I was afraid of what might happen to my son. We don’t have the money for his surgery and we could lose him any time)," he said.
The parents of Jeff and Kemp separately sought the help of The STAR’s Operation Damayan late last month.
Their stories, which saw print in The STAR, touched the hearts of strangers, who started sending money for the boys. Many of the donors did not want to be identified.
Kemp was born with "tetralogy of fallot," a congenital disease that left him with two holes in his heart and blocked ventricles. When he was one year old, doctors recommended an operation but his family did not have any money.
Last year, however, Kemp’s doctors at the Philippine Heart Center (PHC) strongly advised that he undergo surgery or he would not live much longer. The surgery alone would cost P411,000, an amount his family could not afford.
Kemp is set to be admitted into the PHC to undergo various examinations prior to surgery.
Jeff, on the other hand, was born with "multiple congenital anomalies" that stunted his growth: an imperforate anus, characterized by the absence of or an obstruction in the anal opening; and ventricular septal defect that left him with three holes in his heart. He could be mistaken for a three-year-old child.
Jeff underwent two operations to correct his imperforate anus and needs a third. What worries his parents most is that he needs to undergo heart surgery, which costs P125,000.
He is currently confined at ward six of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) and may be operated on next week.
Damayan wishes to thank the following good Samaritans who donated various amounts to fund Jeff’s operations: Marigold Daza, who delivered P125,000 to PGH; friends of Lorenzo, P92,200; MGB, P10,000; Lucy Tan Dy and an anonymous donor, P5,000 each; Ricky and Josie Lugada and their children, P3,500; and an anonymous donor, P1,000.
Damayan also wishes to give thanks to the good Samaritans who helped Kemp: Anonymous donors who deposited a total of P271,00 to the bank account of Vilma Pring; "Mary" and American Express, P50,000 each; United Evangelical Church of the Philippines and Cesar Quinsay, P10,000 each; Philjob Manpower Services, P3,000; and Violeta Ang, P2,000.
Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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by PHILIPPINE HEADLINE NEWS ONLINE
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