5-year-old cancer victim races against time

It’s a race against time for five-year-old Angelo Baniel, who has been suffering from a type of cancer that causes small round cell tumors to grow in his left jaw, causing it to swell.

But with the boy’s surprisingly strong body and will to survive, doctors are confident that Angelo can overcome the cancer. That is, if he can only complete 17 cycles of chemotherapy and then 20 sessions of external beam radiation treatment.

"My son can do it but his treatment must not be interrupted. We have to complete the treatment before the cancer cells spread to other parts of his body," Angelo’s mother Divina said.

Angelo has been suffering from soft tissue sarcoma that has developed on his left submandibular area. The small round cell tumors are peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PPNETs), which usually grow either in bone or soft tissues.

Until now, Divina could not understand the tragedy that befell her family.

In 1997, her now eight-year-old son Aladino Jr. acquired nephritic syndrome, a kidney disorder characterized by the loss of protein in the urine.

It was only last year that Aladino Jr. fully recovered. His treatment dragged on because his parents lacked the money for continued medication.

With Divina working as a laundry woman and her husband Aladino as a driver, the couple barely has enough money for the family’s medical needs. They buy and sell iron, plastic items and used bottles to augment their income.

Last April, Angelo was diagnosed with cancer.

Divina noted that when Angelo was barely two years old, they noticed that a pea-sized wart grew on his upper lip. This was removed in a hospital in their hometown in Sorsogon City, but no biopsy was conducted.

After a year, she noticed that the left side of Angelo’s jaw was growing. "I thought it was only mumps but it kept growing. We brought him to Naga Medical Center and through biopsy, doctors found out that it was cancer."

Angelo was referred to the Cancer Institute of the Philippine General Hospital where he had undergone six chemotherapy sessions since June.

His parents are now at a loss as to where to get the money for 11 more chemotherapy sessions that Angelo needs. By December, the boy is scheduled to start radiation therapy to remove the growth on his jaw.

Each chemotherapy session costs P45,520 while the entire radiation therapy is P12,700. These amounts do not include Angelo’s daily medication and vitamins.

"I appeal to anyone to please help my son. He has to complete his treatment to survive," Divina pleaded.

Those who want to help Angelo can contact his parents at 0918-3456593 or call Operation Damayan coordinator Milette Dioso at 527-7901 to 10.

Damayan wishes to thank the following for helping 21-year-old Jinky Llorando, who needs to undergo kidney transplant at the National Kidney Transplant Institute. Llorando is on stand-by for a cadaveric donor.

• Anonymous, P2,000;

• Anonymous, P2,000;

• Anonymous, P5,000;

• Anonymous, P10,000;

• Mr. & Mrs. Bert Uy, P5,000;

• Stephen Lao, P5,000;

• Westheimer Ind. Corp., P50,000;

• Ma. Gracia Caliolio, P1,200

• Teresita, P2,000;

• Sy family, P20,000;

• Asher & Ainsley Sia, P30,000;

• PRC, P3,000;

• Mrs. Tan, P2,000;

• Malou Miranda, P10,000;

• Anonymous, P5,000;

• Anonymous, P5,000;

• Anonymous, P2,000;

• Anonymous, P3,000;

• Mrs. Nely Uy, P1,000;

• Nancy Harel & Associates Inc., P5,000 — Sheila Crisostomo