For Normaella’s Thalassemia Treatment #HelpMeHelpHer

#HelpMeHelpHer

9-year old Normaella Yuzon. At an early age of 1, she was diagnosed with Beta Thalassemia Major. It is an inherited (i.e., passed from parents to children through genes) blood disorder caused when the body doesn’t make enough of a protein called hemoglobin, an important part of red blood cells. When there isn’t enough hemoglobin, the body’s red blood cells don’t function properly and they last shorter periods of time, so there are fewer healthy red blood cells traveling in the bloodstream. As we know, red blood cells carry oxygen to all the cells of the body. Oxygen is a sort of food that cells use to function. When there are not enough healthy red blood cells, there is also not enough oxygen delivered to all the other cells of the body, which may cause a person to feel tired, weak or short of breath.

This little girl has been undergoing monthly blood transfusion since she was given the diagnoses which costs Php10,000.00 per session . As she grows, the need of transfusion has to increase and at the age of 4, it needed to be done twice a month which caused her spleen to enlarge. Thus, the doctor recommended a procedure called splenectomy which was performed when she was 5. This did not totally cure her but at least lessen the frequency of the blood transfusion to once a month like it used to. Per doctor’s advise, the transfusion has to go on, monthly, in her lifetime which eventually can cause damage to her internal organs. So, she has to take a medication daily that costs Php30,000.00 a month.

There’s this treatment that the family has discovered after a number of online research. It's called Bone Marrow Transplant with a 95% success rate. The family was somehow relieved that at least there is hope and a cure exists. But, this does not end here as the treatment involves enormous amount of physical, mental and emotional stress. Not to mention the amount of money they have to raise to get it done.

The treatment has to be performed in Thailand as recommended by one of the Transplant doctors in Manila for the best and famous doctor specializing the procedure is based there. The treatment needs them to raise at least THB2,000,000 which is approximately Php3,500,000.00. Now, the family is faced with the dilemma on how to come up with the amount to save the child.

I am writing and addressing this to whoever reads this hoping that I’ll be able to move you and touch your hearts to please HelpMeHelpHer. I certainly don’t have that much to help financially but with your help, we can save this child's life and allow the herto live and pursue her dreams.

Jenn :)