Zamantha Faith Edar, diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia | Contributed Photo
A seven-year-old girl from Brgy. Opao, Mandaue City is in dire need of urgent financial help as she pushes on with her fight against the “Big C” through chemotherapy.
Zamantha Faith Edar was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on February 28, 2018. A month before her diagnosis, she suddenly developed symptoms of a disease. She had a recurring fever, joint pains, and bruises on her skin. She was feeling very weak too. These unusual manifestations prompted her parents to bring her to the hospital for a check-up. A complete blood count was done and it showed counts not in the normal range. A bone marrow aspiration was also performed and the results revealed that she has Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a type of cancer of the blood, which is also the most common type of cancer in children. It is characterized by the bone marrow making too many immature lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. This debilitating disease has a high cure rate when it is treated without delay with chemotherapy.
Zam’s first dose of chemotherapy was administered on March 3, 2018. Her attending pediatric hematologist-oncologist prescribed a treatment protocol that would last for three straight years. Treatment compliance is also required to achieve complete healing of the disease and overall long-term health and well-being. Unexpectedly, on August 27, 2021, her routine bone marrow aspiration result indicated that she has a Relapsed ALL which refers to the return of leukemic cells in her body. Because of that, Zam went through a more intensive chemotherapy protocol to thoroughly eradicate the cancer cells in her body. As of the moment, she is in the maintenance phase of her treatment. Her chemotherapy expenses comprising laboratory workups, medical procedures, and medications are sky-high. The estimated cost can reach more than P20,000 every month. In addition to that, patients with cancer have a higher risk of infection. On December 7, 2022, Zam was admitted to the hospital due to an infection. In order to combat the infection, her attending physician ordered costly antibiotic therapy and other medicines. Their hospital bill has reached almost P43,000.
Zam is a sweet and friendly girl. She loves to smile and give gifts too. In her leisure time, she likes to dance, play, and draw. At a young age, she longs to become a policewoman someday. As the youngest of three siblings, her family loves and cherishes her the most. When asked about her wish for Zam, her mother responded, “Above all, I wish that she will be successfully cured from cancer.” Her father, a mechanic, strives hard to provide for them through his P14,000 income every month. Her mother is a housewife who takes good care of the whole family. The economic hardships brought about by the pandemic and high inflation had really affected their financial resources. They do not have much. Even though they are troubled financially, her family is still very hopeful that they can surmount these challenges with the help of people who care. Indeed, they are really in desperate need of help. Hence, in order to save Zam’s life and sustain her ongoing treatment, her family is heartily appealing for financial assistance from goodhearted individuals who have the heart to share their blessings.
Those who wish to donate may contact Kapwa Ko, Mahal Ko Foundation Inc. – Cebu through these cellphone numbers 0945-712-6657 or 0932-443-7135. You can also 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 on the deposit slip. Thank you very much.