Pauline Gevaña, 10 years old, has to undergo chemotherapy this June and would appreciate any help, financial or otherwise. This is her story, taken from my sister’s blog.

Back in August 1999 when she was 3, Pauline was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Her mother, Yolly, had to give up her job to be able to give her the full attention she needed. At the height of the medical crisis, her father left and ran to the arms of another woman. For the past 7 years, Pauline’s life has been a series of trips to and from their home in Sta. Rosa and the Philippine Children’s Medical Center (PCMC) in Quezon City for testing, medication, therapy, and sometimes hospital confinement. Her hair had fallen off and grown back many times; strangers would stare or say insensitive comments. Her treatments sometimes made her weak, disabling her from playing with her friends from the neighborhood. Her frequent absences have forced her to miss school, and even drop out many times.

With no steady income, her mother had to rely on the charity of friends, family, NGO’s, and political officials to fund her treatments, the peripheral costs involved such as transportation and meals, her sister Paula’s education, and their family’s everyday needs. She tries to earn income by making and selling safety masks. She regularly makes the rounds of charity agencies such as Kapwa Ko Mahal Ko, and PCSO. Her latest attempt to ask for financial assistance from senators left her empty-handed; she was advised to come back when the counting is over.

One would think that with a life story like this, Pauline would be a picture of misery and hopelessness. She’s not. Far from it. She smiles, she giggles, she runs around as if she did not have to endure the pain of marrow extraction and chemotherapy. She brings around a photo album that contains mementoes of the interesting things that she has experienced. There is a picture with the president of the country, clipped from the front page of popular broadsheet. She has photos of her in Barbie boots dancing with a matinee idol. She has come out on television many times; once was when her family received a sari-sari store start up package and another when she won a prize in a noontime show. Many famous celebrities grace her photo album, and the pictures always showed a Pauline smiling gleefully. Were it not for the lack of hair, she would look disease-free.

And in my heart, in faith, I do believe God’s loving and healing hands have taken away the disease from Pauline’s body. Her tests, in fact, have shown negative results. I believe that Pauline will grow up to be a beautiful woman who will fulfill God’s purpose in her and others’ lives. She has already beaten the survival odds for children with cancer.

Miracles do not come just in the form of healing, but also in provisions.

Amazing stories of generosity have happened in her life. Sometimes, a stranger in a fast food joint or a bus would just hand money to her just when they need it. Generous sponsors have sustained her medical bills. Other mothers in the terminal disease wards would wonder in envy why “good luck” seem to follow Pauline. I always tell Yolly to tell the moms that it is not luck, but faith, that has made all these miracles happen.

Even if her tests show negative results for cancer presence, there is a thing called protocol that requires for the treatments to continue. This June, she will have to be confined again at the PCMC for a round of chemotherapy and other treatments. I am believing that this will be the last of such treatments, and she will finally be officially declared as cancer-free.

Be part of the miracle by joining me in prayers; by visiting her during her stay; and by donating money, blood, food, phone cards and other gifts you want to share; or by volunteering to transport her and her mom to and from the hospital. Send me a message through islandhopper_girl (at) yahoo (dot) com or you may call Yolly Gevaña directly through +63.920.4329416.

The story of Pauline is a beautiful one of hope, faith, and miracles. Thank you for being part of this amazing story.

As mentioned, any form of support will be appreciated - your prayers and thoughts, your emails and messages. If you wish to make a donation, click on the button below, leave a comment, or email islandhopper_girl (at) yahoo (dot) com.