Kids battling the Big C

I was five years old when I first encountered the word cancer  after watching a local drama anthology where in the story the lead star (I don’t recall anymore which one) was given only a few months to live.

It was my maternal grandmother who was beside me while watching that program. Unfortunately, my dear old granny wasn’t very well versed in the field of medicine. She was unable to explain to me what the illness was all about, except to tell me that people die from it within a short period of time.

My grandmother eventually died after a massive heart attack and that is the killer ailment in my family  on my mother’s side, at least. Most of the Franciscos, fortunately, live long  knock on wood (I have an aunt in her 90s and until a few years ago was still able to attend to her store).

But even if the cancer strain doesn’t seem to run in the family (I hope it stays that way), I’ve been scared of it from that time I first learned that there’s such illness that can afflict just anybody.

To protect myself against it, I try living healthy by exercising and eating the right food (although I haven’t been a hundred percent successful with it). I also joined an anti-smoking group that is fighting for clean air in this country. If you know what’s good for you, quit smoking and, please, don’t pass on second-hand smoke to others since that is more dangerous.

Stress is also said to be another factor that causes cancer. But heaven knows I can’t avoid that. Meeting my deadline for this column is stressful, but it’s part of my job  and my life. Right now, I’m still looking for ways to avoid stress in my daily routine. This is so I don’t get the Big C, which I so dread.

I’ve also been told that cancer can just hit anybody. It doesn’t matter if you take good care of your health (although that still helps). If it’s in your genes, it’s in your genes. And it can hit even children  infants, for that matter.

Last week, I saw first-hand children with cancer and how they are coping with the disease. This again got me interested in finding out more about the deadly disease.

It all started when Dr. Vicki Belo invited me to the blessing of the newly-renovated treatment room of the Children’s Cancer Ward and Hematology Center at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (Lungsod ng Kabataan).

What was once a gloomy area was refurbished by Dr. Belo and it is now a happier place  more children-friendly, actually. This project

From left: Cristalle Henares, magician Alakim, Regine Velasquez, Dr. Vicki Belo, Mark Bautista and Sam Concepcion.

was done under the Ike and Nena Belo Foundation, which Vicki set up in honor of her parents, the late lawyer Enrique Belo and Florencia  or Nena  who is now under the care of the doctora and her children Quark and Cristalle (they adore Tita Nena).

The other projects of this foundation oversaw the treatment of burned victims (kids and grown-ups), an outreach program in the depressed area that is the Baseco Compound in Tondo, the donation of school supplies in Mindoro and the Belo Goes Green environmental campaign. The Ike and Nena Belo Foundation also sends to school poor, but bright students (I met them last Christmas and some are really brilliant).

The blessing of the Children’s Cancer Ward was done last Sept. 8 not only because that was Mama Mary’s birthday, but because that was also the date of birth of lawyer Ike. To cheer up the kids, businessman and feng shui expert Jeffrey Ventura donated several stuffed toys  plus rosaries to aid them in their prayers.

After the ceremonial rites, Belo head doctor, Maricar Cruz introduced me to another Dr. Cruz, Maria Cecilia, who is in-charge of the children’s ward. Assisted by staff head Fe Sistebeno, I met some of the very young patients. One was Zelvic Brigido, who at age four has Wilms’ tumor or kidney cancer. Sadly, it is already in stage 4.

The youngest patient I met was John-John Castro, who is a bundle of joy at one year and a half. He has leukemia, but mercifully it is treatable.

My newest best friend there, however, is Marian Velasco, who also has leukemia. When I asked her what she wanted at this point, she said that she wants to meet her idol, Marian Rivera. When I told her that all Marians are pretty, she smiled and that to me was precious because, well, it’s not all that easy being in their situation. I wish she could have reasons to smile more often.

This is why I am hoping that Marian Rivera would find the time to visit her namesake at the Children’s Hospital. Not very long ago, the actress also agreed to hook up with another cancer patient who was her fan and they met up in one of her tapings. Unfortunately, Marian Velasco cannot be brought out of the hospital due to her weak immune system.

It was really too bad that Regine Velasquez, who was present at the blessing, was unable to go to her ward (there are quite a few and it would take time to visit each one). It turned out that the Asia’s Songbird is also her favorite.

I’m not pressuring Marian Rivera and Regine Velasquez, but if these two top celebrities could find time to visit Marian Velasco, the girl would be pleased no end. The Children’s Hospital along Quezon Avenue isn’t very far from GMA 7.

I’m also encouraging other celebrities to visit even just once the Children’s Hospital to bring cheer not just to the young patients, but also to their parents, who  I can imagine  must be very stressed by now (with their resources even depleted) watching and agonizing over the fate of their sick kids. (Edu Manzano is said to be one of the hospital’s donors  bless him.)

I know that you people are very busy with work. But I’ll be very honest and frank with you: Some of these kid patients may survive. Some may not. Who knows? Your presence there may just give them hope and inspiration to fight their battle with the Big C. At this point, these children and their parents are clinging on to just anything to add even a few years to their young lives.

Maybe you can help them to do that.