APCU cites RP-China cooperation

The chairman of the Association for Philippine-China Understanding (APCU) thanked local Chinese-Filipino businessmen and their Chinese counterparts for exemplifying social responsibility that saves lives.

Lorenzo Ku, who is also chairman of LK Global Holdings, arrived recently from Hangzhou, China where 22-year old Genevieve Miranda underwent a successful bone-marrow transplant at the Zheijiang University First Medical Hospital.

Ku said that Miranda would like to personally thank the Filipino Chinese community when she goes back to the Philippines to celebrate her new gift of life… a gift made possible by the cooperation and understanding between two countries, two cultures: the Philippines and China.

"This is truly a fitting example of the essence of Filipino-Chinese Friendship Day celebrated recently," said Ku.

Miranda was diagnosed with leukemia when she was in 4th year college. She underwent all kinds of treatment and several chemotherapy sessions in Philippine hospitals to no avail. The family had major financial concerns as their father died in 2000 and their carinderia burnt down soon afterward without insurance.

Ku said that it was Santos Co Hong Chan who first knew of Miranda’s plight. Santos gathered his friends and some Chinese associations to raise funds for her treatment. Among the friends was Ku, Jose So and Henry Tong. It was learned that at the state of her sickness, only a bone marrow transplant could save her life.

Ku contacted the Zheijiang University Hospital, because of its track record in bone marrow transplants on many leukemia patients. Ku and his group raised funds from the charitable Filipino Chinese community to support Miranda’s treatment.

The Miranda family was flown to Hangzhou with a younger sister, Gingerline, as bone marrow donors. The transplant team was led by Dr. Huang He and Dr. Cai Jen.