Campaign to help cancer-struck Filipino

The holy month of Ramadan is the time for charity, sharing and caring. A group of Filipino and Asian workers are doing just that by running a campaign to help finance the expensive medical treatment of a colleague and friend who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

A young sales assistant of a retail chain in the UAE, Edward Pagong  Jr, 28, is today a devastated man on the verge of bankruptcy, after he was hurriedly sent back to the Philippines for treatment.

His friends and well-wishers in the UAE are now doing their bit to help bedridden Edward who used be with them one and a half months ago. Edward, sole breadwinner of an eight-member family from Davos in southern Philippines, had worked for nearly seven years in the UAE.

His latest job was with a home furnishings outlet of Al Shaya group of companies in Mirdif City Centre.

It was only one-and-half-months ago that Edward realised the seriousness of his illness, after he felt uneasy and body irritation.

He is not only fast losing weight and hair, his pocket is also getting empty, after spending all the money that he took home from Dubai for the first few chemotherapy sessions and medication.

More money is needed to continue treatment, lest he succumbs to the abnormal cells growing in his body to destabilise his immune system further.

“Edward went to NMC Specialty Hospital for a detailed medical examination and the company helped him pay for the lab tests and treatment. The doctors diagnosed him with lymphoma cancer and advised treatment in the Philippines.

“He went back with an air ticket and two months’ advance salary given by the employer. He is chronically ill and will survive only with regular chemotherapy which is both expensive and painful,” said a friend active in the support group.

Many of Edward’s friends in the UAE are still not aware of his chronic illness, as his Facebook account has been inactive for the past two months.

Some of his close friends came to know about his condition from a picture of hospitalised Edward posted by a relative.

“I thought he had gone to the Philippines on vacation. I am shocked to hear that he is suffering from cancer,” said a colleague from Pottery Barn Kids in Mirdif City Centre.

Edward dreams of coming back to Dubai and supporting his aged mother, brothers and daughter, a Grade 2 student. He is currently admitted at the Southern Philippines Medical Centre (SPMC).

“I think the family is on the verge of bankruptcy. Though I am myself jobless now, I will try to make a small contribution for him. He may not get anything more from the employer before he is cured,” said another friend of Edward.

“There was no symptom that he was chronically sick and he was always a joyous and energetic youth. He was a sales assistant with Eppco five years ago and was very happy when he got a new job with a better salary,” said Mike Rubinacia, his former colleague and friend, who is appealing to Filipino friends and well-wishers to join the ‘Help Edward Treatment Campaign’ through Facebook and other mediums.

“We all get small salaries but we have a big heart to help a fellow ‘kabayan’ in real need of help. We are spreading the message through Facebook, Twitter and other means. We hope he will survive and return to Dubai,” he said.

Speaking to Emirates 24|7 from his hospital bed in the Philippines, Edward said: “I am very sick and undergoing chemotherapy. I cannot speak properly because of frequent coughing.

“The next chemo is scheduled for Tuesday and each costs 30,000 pesos (about Dh2,500) besides expensive medicines and lab tests, etc. My two months’ advance salary is now finished. I hope to get some more advance from my company but it is a long process. I don’t know what to do.

“I worked five years for Eppco and only one and a half years in Al Shaya Group. I could not save much because I had to support my family as my father died long ago. I have not yet resigned from my Dubai job. I hope my cancer is cured soon and I will be able to come back to the UAE,” said Edward.

“Edward is too dear to all of us and we cannot abandon him at such a critical phase in his life. We are doing our best to send some more for his chemotherapy and medication,” said Marj, a friend of Edward.

“I earn only a small salary and the budget is very tight this month because I had to clear a pending Etisalat bill and credit card dues. However, I will try to give a small donation for his treatment. I hope others too will join to help save Edward,” she added.

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