MANILA, Dec. 13, 2014 – An alumni class of a secondary school in Sorsogon embarks on a fundraising campaign to help save the life of a classmate’s 9-month-old baby girl who requires liver transplant to survive.
Barcelona National Comprehensive High School (BNCHS) Class ’92 has set out seeking financial help from generous individuals, families, and charitable organizations, said class president Gilbert Atienza.
Magdalena from Barcelona National Comprehensive High School Class ’92 holds baby Arianne who is threatened by a rare disease. (Photo: Elsa Sosing)
Members of the class are also currently selling T-shirts to help raise money to get infant Arianne a liver transplant.
Operation abroad
Baby Arianne was diagnosed with biliary atresia at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) following a biopsy on May 8, 2014 – barely three months after she was born on Feb. 23.
According to Arianne’s father, Randy Florano, 45, Dr. Randy P. Urtula, one of the country’s top pediatricians and gastroenterologists, told them liver transplant for infants in the country is not yet as state-of-the-art as it is abroad.
To ensure Arianne with 100 survival, Urtula recommended an operation abroad, Florano said.
Florano and his wife Magdalena, 39, sought a second opinion from another medical institution but were told the biopsy has already confirmed Arianne’s health condition and advised them to heed PCMC’s referral.
Millions needed
PCMC recommends Taipei Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan and asked them to request a quotation for liver transplant and hospitalization of Arianne, Florano said.
PCMC estimated the cost of the transplant and hospitalization at P4 million.
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) told them it could release worth P1 million only for Arianne, Florano said. A politician also pledged to donate a certain amount.
BNCHS Class ’92 efforts
Arianne’s family would make up for the balance if the financial assistance from the PCSO and the politician would prove insufficient.
With the financial aid from both sources still uncertain, BNCHS Class ’92 rolled out fundraising activities.
Atienza calls on all BNCHS Class ’92 members to support the T-shirt selling and solicitations.
He also appeals to affluent and generous families and charitable organizations to help Arianne get through the health condition that threatens her life.
Arianne’s mother can be contacted at 09396337592. BNCHS Class ’92 also welcomes support for Arianne. They can be contacted at mobile numbers 09175364985 and 09993349807. (Oliver Samson/CBCPNews)
