Journey to Barak’s Liver Transplant

The world is full of beauty that we hope every child grows to see it and lives to spread it -- the beauty in humanity; the beauty in every man that he lives with hope, with love and with faith.

My son needs a Liver Transplant to save his life and we humbly ask for your help.

I am Barak Mathaias Olowan- Pangisban and this is my story.

I was born on September 18, 2018. I was a strong, normal baby and I greeted my family and the world with happiness. I widely smiled and they smiled at me back.

Everything was going right until that day of my third month when I went again to my doctor for my check-up. All the while we thought it was just normal for me to have yellowish skin just like the other babies when they were born. However, I was different; I was unique. The doctor came to us and said that I am suffering from biliary atresia.

Biliary atresia is a life threatening disease of the bile ducts and the liver. It is found in one in every 20,000 babies. I underwent Kasai operation in January 2019 as advised by my doctor to hopefully cure me of the disease. We hoped and prayed for the best, and I am fighting. Months went on and I became a frequent hospital visitor. I was also admitted for cholangitis. And in June 2019, I went under the knife for adhesiolysis. Again, I am fighting. Just lately, I was admitted for pneumonia. It is painful. It is tiring. But I am fighting.

Here comes a new year, and the battle is not yet over. I will face yet another challenge that every parent and every person hopes not to happen to every little angel.

I will undergo a liver Transplant. It is now the only way to save my life.

The procedure will not be easy and will cost us a lot. My parents are already drained of resources and and trying all their efforts to raise the needed amount for the procedure to save my life. My mother has to stop working to care for me since i was diagnosed and my dad has to file a leave in his church ministry calling and duties to look for a living that can support our daily needs. The procedure will be done in India as it is the now the most economical and the success rate is also high. The procedure will cost us Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Pesos (P2,500.000.00) more or less, an amount we do not have. We are hoping and praying that the good Lord carry us through and help us surpass this challenge.

With all humility, we come to you as a family to help us raise the funds needed for the procedure. We welcome any amount from your generous hearts, any effort to help us get through, and most especially, for your prayers. Hold my hand and help me stand for the load is heavy.

We believe and have faith in the power of people coming together hand in hand. We believe that the world is filled with people willing to help each other in times of adversity. We believe in humanity.

Thank you very much and we appreciate everything from you. We do not know how to reciprocate your kindness today, but forward we shall pass.

Love and Hope,

Barak Mathais Olowan- Pangisban