Two days ago a kindhearted fellow Barugon-on, Jenny Dispo Bautista, posted a request in one of the discussion boards of the Barugon-on group in Facebook. She asked me and the creator of the group, Boyte (Elmer) De Veyra, if she could post an appeal for help for one of our own. Of course, we told her. I also asked her to do the same in the Salog Himanglos group. Immediately, Jenny started a discussion board in the Barugon-on group. “Let’s Save A Life” was the topic title Jenny gave it.
Her name is Shiela, and I don’t know her. Shiela Ariza, 35 years old, mother of two, daughter of one Mr. Tomas Ariza of barangay Tutog-an. That rustic place by the Himanglos across the famous hanging bridge from barangay Calingcaguing. She has cervical cancer. That much I know.
Jenny started the discussion with “an appeal to you all to help a fellow Barugon-on who is now fighting for her dear life and is in need of major operation….She is now confined in a charity hospital in Paranaque City (Our Lady of Peace Hospital) and is just waiting for enough funds to finance her operation. The estimate (sic) cost of her operation is 50,000 pesos. With this amount, we are giving hope to a person who has much to live for. Christmas is fast approaching, and there’s no better way of celebrating it than bringing hope to Shiela. Bless you all for your kindness.”
Within 24 hours of her posting, three kindhearted Barugon-ons from the Chicago area responded with their contributions. The following day another one offered help. I do not know for sure whether or not we can consider this an overwhelming response.
According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, women in developing countries account for about 85 percent of both the yearly cases of cervical cancer and the yearly deaths from cervical cancer. Each year, approximately 473,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Each year, about 253,500 women die of cervical cancer. These are the desensitizing statistics. “A million deaths is a statistic. A single death is a tragedy.”
This year, 473,000 women were diagnosed with the deadly cervical cancer, plus Shiela Ariza. For some people I may or may not know, the numbers look like this:
473,000 and a daughter, Shiela.
473,000 and a mother of two, Shiela.
473,000 and a sister, Shiela.
473,000 and a cousin, Shiela.
473,000 and a niece, Shiela.
473,000 and a dear friend, Shiela.
And it could look like this: 253,500 deaths this year, and Shiela.
You get my drift.
Her name is Shiela and she lies in her hospital bed scared and wondering whether or not she can get her life-saving operation before it is too late. Too late for her two children to ever see the smile on her face again. But because of people like Jenny Dispo Bautista and many more who will rush to offer help, there just might be hope for her. For her children.
“Pay it forward” is not just a cliché. For Shiela specially, it comes real. She can never repay anyone and may not even be able to pay forward. But it doesn’t matter because there are lots of people who can and will pay forward. So Shiela can someday hold a grandchild in her arms. Nothing could be sweeter than that.
Her name is Shiela, she is fighting for dear life and I don’t know her. But I am happy. Many others are happy not because she could end up a tragedy. Happy at the chance to give her hope. To give her children hope. Nothing could be bigger than that!
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Note:
If you are interested in helping Shiela Ariza please go to the Barugon-on group “Let’s Save a Life” discussion topic for details on how you can send your donation.
Her name is Shiela, and I don’t know her. Shiela Ariza, 35 years old, mother of two, daughter of one Mr. Tomas Ariza of barangay Tutog-an. That rustic place by the Himanglos across the famous hanging bridge from barangay Calingcaguing. She has cervical cancer. That much I know.
Jenny started the discussion with “an appeal to you all to help a fellow Barugon-on who is now fighting for her dear life and is in need of major operation….She is now confined in a charity hospital in Paranaque City (Our Lady of Peace Hospital) and is just waiting for enough funds to finance her operation. The estimate (sic) cost of her operation is 50,000 pesos. With this amount, we are giving hope to a person who has much to live for. Christmas is fast approaching, and there’s no better way of celebrating it than bringing hope to Shiela. Bless you all for your kindness.”
Within 24 hours of her posting, three kindhearted Barugon-ons from the Chicago area responded with their contributions. The following day another one offered help. I do not know for sure whether or not we can consider this an overwhelming response.
According to the National Cervical Cancer Coalition, women in developing countries account for about 85 percent of both the yearly cases of cervical cancer and the yearly deaths from cervical cancer. Each year, approximately 473,000 women worldwide are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Each year, about 253,500 women die of cervical cancer. These are the desensitizing statistics. “A million deaths is a statistic. A single death is a tragedy.”
This year, 473,000 women were diagnosed with the deadly cervical cancer, plus Shiela Ariza. For some people I may or may not know, the numbers look like this:
473,000 and a daughter, Shiela.
473,000 and a mother of two, Shiela.
473,000 and a sister, Shiela.
473,000 and a cousin, Shiela.
473,000 and a niece, Shiela.
473,000 and a dear friend, Shiela.
And it could look like this: 253,500 deaths this year, and Shiela.
You get my drift.
Her name is Shiela and she lies in her hospital bed scared and wondering whether or not she can get her life-saving operation before it is too late. Too late for her two children to ever see the smile on her face again. But because of people like Jenny Dispo Bautista and many more who will rush to offer help, there just might be hope for her. For her children.
“Pay it forward” is not just a cliché. For Shiela specially, it comes real. She can never repay anyone and may not even be able to pay forward. But it doesn’t matter because there are lots of people who can and will pay forward. So Shiela can someday hold a grandchild in her arms. Nothing could be sweeter than that.
Her name is Shiela, she is fighting for dear life and I don’t know her. But I am happy. Many others are happy not because she could end up a tragedy. Happy at the chance to give her hope. To give her children hope. Nothing could be bigger than that!
-------------------------------------------ooOoo----------------------------------------------
Note:
If you are interested in helping Shiela Ariza please go to the Barugon-on group “Let’s Save a Life” discussion topic for details on how you can send your donation.
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UPDATE:
On December 27, 2009, Shiela passed away happy that she was given the chance to spend Christmas with her family. To those who helped and prayed for Shiela, her family extend their sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude.
