Help Me Fight Wilms: Ron Matthew Esteves’ Fight Against Wilms Tumor

Yuletide season is fast approaching. Everybody is so excited about this happiest season of the year. But not the Saavedra-Esteves family. Christmas won’t be merry unlike the past years since their youngest child, Ron Matthew “Matt” S. Esteves was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor.

Matt was born on January 12, 2018, and he was the youngest child of Gnobit S-tevezz and Lynbe Estuche Saavedra of Barangay # 2, Igbaras, Iloilo. He was my hijado during his baptism. I was not able to attend the christening but I promised to God I will continue supporting him like how all the Godmothers do.

On January 24, 2019, Matt was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor. Wilms tumor is a solid cancerous tumor of the kidney that arises from immature kidney cells. For most children with Wilms tumor, no clear cause is known. Certain environmental factors (such as contact with toxic chemicals) may increase the risk of developing this disease, but more research is needed.

At the moment, there is no available chemotherapy at Iloilo for pedia patient. Thus, the nephrologist at Saint Paul’s Hospital Iloilo recommended the family to have the chemotherapy at Manila.

Lynbe and Matt flew to Manila and the tumor was only 14 cm. At the age of one year, he started chemotherapy. He was such a brave fighter for enduring the painful process from March 4 to June 7, 2019. Imagine the 12 chemo sessions he has to suffer at Amosup Seamen’s Hospital. I cannot even donate blood because I’m scared of the needle, but Matt is a born warrior.

However, Matt is unresponsive to the treatment. During the last scan of the tumor, it was already 16 cm. The doctor advised that he has to be checked by other pedia-specialists. Amosup referred Matt to the oncologist and surgeon of Philippine’s Children and Medical Center (PCMC). The doctor reevaluated Matt’s condition and suggested a different team composed of consultants to handle the case.

First, they conducted a biopsy at Matt. Two weeks thereafter, he was started on another chemotherapy.

Going public with this information is very difficult for the family. This is why we are asking on the family’s behalf for financial assistance with their ever-increasing medical costs.

This has just been more than they can bare. We humbly and gratefully ask anyone who reads this to consider donating to help relieve this crushing burden from this amazing and loving family.

Thank you for taking the time to read Matt’s story and we greatly appreciate any and all prayers as well as donations you feel led to give.

Other options:

• Money carriers such as: Cebuana, Palawan Express, M Lhuillier, Western Union and etc.,

Please contact this number before sending: 09291531462

or Message Lynbe on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynbe.saavedra

THANK YOU!

Sincerely;

Regina Zagala