The on-going signature campaign launched by the Baguio media asking the government to make dialysis a free medical service is for 12-year old Evan Mike Bogsit and 36-year old Romeo Garcia whose families are at a loss on how to fund their continuous blood-cleansing sessions in order to survive.
The kid and her mother, Evangeline came to the public information division of the city mayor’s office last week, asking help in reaching out to Samaritans who may be able to support the boy’s life-time dialysis.
“We are begging your help to help my son,” Evelyn said in a hand-written plea, saying the family cannot single-handedly support the kid’s twice-a-week hemodialysis set at P2,250 per session or P4,500 a week.
The kid was diagnosed for kidney failure in 2014 after he underwent check-up for urinary tract infection which turned out to be chronic kidney disease.
Evan’s 54-year old father Michael, a vegetable farmer from Amgaleyguey, Buguas, Benguet, was forced to shift to driving a sand-and-gravel truck in La Trinidad, Benguet because of the need for ready cash to sustain his son’s continuing treatment and to bring closer the kid to the dialysis center.
“The father’s income as driver which is P200 (a day) is very limited to provide the family’s basic needs,” wrote social worker Irene Tagtag in a social case study report.
The youngest of five siblings, Evan can be reached at FC-198A Central Balili, La Trinidad, Benguet. Those who can help may ring up his sister’s cellphone – 0910-2670269.
Garcia, of Sapid, Mankayan, Benguet is a widower with two children, Princess Arcia, 7, and Cathy Sy, 4. Who are also bgeset with illness.
The miner of Lepanto, Mankayan, earlier lost his wife, Jane (nee Lamlamag) herself a dialysis patient who decided to go home and die to ease the family suffering.
She left behind children Princess, who is undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia, and Cathy who is epileptic.
Her husband was diagnosed also for total kidney failure when he was confined her in the wake of his wife’s death.
Those who can help this orphaned family may contact Romeo through cellphone number 09101116579.
The signature campaign calling for free dialysis was launched earlier this year by the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club, the umbrella organization of Baguio-based media practitioners, the Philippine Information Agency and the Baguio General Hospital and Medical center Dialysis Patients and Partners Association. /Ramon Dacawi.