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| Elaine and her daughters with Mission case officer Edwina Antonion (second from right) |
Three young Filipinas are in Hong Kong with their mother right now, hoping to get tested and treated as soon as possible for a rare blood disease that has left them bleeding heavily, particularly from the nose and mouth.
Their mother, Elaine Pacheco, rushed to get them
diagnosed here as soon as she learned that the nearest places with equipment
for getting them tested for what is suspected to be Von Willebrand’s disease
are Singapore and Hong Kong.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Von Willebrand disease
is a lifelong bleeding disorder in which the patient’s blood doesn’t clot
properly. Afflicted people have low levels of von Willebrand factor, a protein
that helps blood clot.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE! |
While it is incurable, people with this disease can
lead active lives with treatment and self-care.
After the case was referred to them, the Mission for
Migrant Workers immediately sent out an appeal for help for the three girls,
aged 19, 17 and 10.
According to the Mission’s general manager Cynthia
A. Tellez, Elaine traveled all the way from Mexico, Pampanga to get medical
help for her three daughters who often bleed non-stop from their noses and
gums. The two older daughters experience even heavier bleeding during their
monthly period.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
“After raising some funds Elaine brought the kids
racing to get them tested in Hong Kong as she continues seeking financial help
from good-hearted people,” said Tellez.
She added Elaine and her husband had to take turns
working because someone had to be left at home to look after their daughters.
It was Elaine who used to work until she was
diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome, a condition which causes slow or irregular
heartbeats. She now wears a pacemaker, so her husband had to take on the role
of breadwinner by working as a delivery driver.
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| BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS NOW! PRESS FOR DETAILS |
Elaine arrived in Hong Kong with her daughters on
June 28, and could only stay for 14 days. But as the doctors said they needed
to stay longer for a series of medical tests, the Mission stepped in to help
them get visa extensions.
The girls are scheduled to undergo blood tests on Thursday,
July 20, signaling the start of greater financial woes for the family. But whatever
the diagnosis and cost, Elaine and her husband are determined to get their
children treated, even when they’re back in the Philippines.
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| BASAHIN DITO |
Elaine said, 'I have to be strong for my children
and the only thing I want is for them to get the right treatment! I am knocking
on your hearts and begging for mercy to help my children. As a mother, I just
want to see them live normal and healthy lives.”
(Donations
for the girls’ medical treatment can be deposited through the Alipay account of
Elaine’s cousin, Janice Bautista, at 92020757. The Mission asks that each time
money is sent, a photo of the deposit slip be sent via whatsapp to 91443744 for
proper monitoring and accounting)
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| PADALA NA! |
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