All for Ali: A Fundraising Campaign for Clival Chordoma Treatment

Update: As of 09/30, we were able to generate Php500,000.00 (16% funded vs our goal) cash donations. Ali extends thanks to everyone who made this possible. Keep sharing our donation platforms.

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In 2003, Ali Mohammed Ali, a good friend and high school classmate of ours, was diagnosed with Clival Chordoma, a rare cancerous tumor that develops along the spine from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Often without symptoms during the first few stage, Chordomas gradually grow and might cause symptoms for years even before doctors find it, and recur after treatment. In about 40 percent of cases, the cancer spreads (metastasizes) to other areas of the body, such as the lungs.

Ali’s tumor was pressing down on his optic nerve, which caused his right eye to be paralyzed and consequently led to double vision. He underwent a major operation to extract the tumor and was bed-ridden most of the time during his recovery period. Six months later, Ali had radiation treatment (Gamma Knife) to get rid of the remaining tumor.He continued his checkups and scans for years. Fortunately, after series of scans, his doctor confirmed that he is back to normal (although his eyes is still paralyzed and have double vision) and there is nothing to worry about. He got married and was blessed with a healthy, wonderful baby boy who just turned one a few months ago.

Ali was living a normal life, however, in February 2020, a month before the pandemic, he started to experience hoarseness in his voice. Sad to say, doctors confirmed that his right vocal cord was paralyzed and his right shoulder muscle has collapsed. Both were possible tumor-driven and, since he has tumor history, he underwent MRI scan.

The thing Ali feared the most came after the MRI: HE HAS A RECURRING TUMOR on his skull’s base. Undetected for several years, it has grown to approximately a size of an egg, which is thrice the size when his tumor was first known in 2003.

To ultimately get rid of the tumor, instead of Gamma Knife where the likelihood that it will go back is high, doctors recommended Proton Beam Therapy, an advanced radiotherapy that destroys the tumor and prevents it from coming back. Unfortunately, Proton Beam Therapy is not available in the Philippines and is quite expensive. In Asia, India offers such treatment and costs around US $65,000.00 (approximately Php3.2 million), exclusive of fare, lodging and other laboratory and medical costs.

Considering the cost of the therapy, Ali still could not go through a surgery or any treatment so we are knocking at your kind hearts to help our colleague either through monetary form or by simply sharing our cause.

To echo Ali’s words, “…I still have a long way to go [to get the funds needed]. I know this is not the best time to ask for financial help since most of us are already struggling [due to Covid]. I will value any help that may be offered. Have faith in tomorrow, for it can bring better days.”

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Note: If you experience issues donating through this platform, you may also send/transfer/wire funds to the below Philippine bank accounts and E-wallet:

Bank Name: Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Account #: 1929455718
Account Name: Ali Mohammed Ali
Swift Code: BOPIPHMM

Bank Name: Banco de Oro (BDO) Unibank
Account #: 008170016725
Account Name: Ali Mohammed Ali
Swift Code: BNORPHMM

E-wallet: GCash
Account #: 09983738804
Account Name: Ali Mohammed Ali