John Gabriel Ganaganag, diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma | Contributed Photo
A three-year-old boy from Brgy. Jagobiao, Mandaue City is wholeheartedly appealing for immediate financial help as he continues to fight against cancer.
John Gabriel Ganaganag was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma on May 2020. Six months before this unexpected diagnosis, his parents noticed a tumor growing on the left side of his nose. Because of this disturbing sign, his parents brought him to a medical clinic for check-up. They were then referred to a hospital in Cebu City for further medical assessment and interventions. Laboratory and diagnostic tests were performed like CT scan and biopsy and the results confirmed his diagnosis. Rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of cancer that affects muscle tissue. The disease starts in the mesenchymal cells, which are cells that turn into muscle. This type of cancer causes the cells to change and grow out of control, forming one or more tumors. This life-threatening disease commonly afflicts children but it can occur at any age. Treatment usually includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
His first dose of chemotherapy was administered on May 22, 2020. His attending physician prescribed a treatment protocol that included 11 cycles of chemotherapy. He then successfully completed these 11 cycles on December 2020. During that time, the size of the tumor began to shrink. Unfortunately, on February 2021, the tumor on the left side of his face started to increase in size very quickly. Because of that, he had to go through repeat chemotherapy on that same month. Additionally, on May 11, 2021, his chemotherapy continued with a new and intensive treatment protocol aimed to decrease the size of the tumor. This new treatment protocol comprises chemotherapy session every two weeks. The total cost of each chemotherapy session is estimated to reach up to P85,000.
“Gab-gab,” as he is fondly called by his parents is an active and playful boy. At a young age, he is also full of hope. As the only child in the family, he is genuinely loved and valued. His parents heartily expressed that they long for “Gab-gab” to be cancer-free yet the high cost of treatment weighs heavily upon them. Indeed, his family is in a very difficult and challenging situation right now as their financial resources are already drained. His father, the breadwinner of the family, works as a merchandiser at a store with only P9,000 monthly income. His mother, who is a housewife, takes good care of the whole family. By that, his father’s meager salary is really inadequate to provide for the family and to sustain his costly medical expenses. Hence, his parents are earnestly knocking on the hearts of generous individuals to give financial support to help save Gab-gab’s life.
Those who wish to donate may contact Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. – Cebu through cellphone number 0933-194-0197 or kindly deposit donations directly to Unionbank under account name Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. – Cebu and account number 00-112-000066-2. Please indicate the name of the patient in the deposit slip. Thank you very much.
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