Patient Stories Series (No. 45) George C. Lee-Chuy, 63, was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in 2013. At the time of his diagnosis, George and his family were overwhelmed with fear, believing that leukemia was an inevitable death sentence. However, today, George is cancer-free and has been in remission for over 10 years. Before his diagnosis, he lived a fast-paced life—partying, smoking, and rarely sleeping. Following a sudden collapse, he was eventually diagno

Since EPCALM was founded 17 years ago (on 12 May 2005; and registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission on 29 December 2009),...

King’s aunt Alice Litao sent an e-mail to EPCALM last April 10, 2014 asking how they could ask for help for King Arthur who was suffering from leukemia. They chanced upon the EPCALM website while they were surfing through the internet, looking for a leukemia support group. King has been in remission for 6 months after he was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML) last Nov 2012. After 6 months of remission, King had a relapse last March 1, 2014. King, 31 (at 1st co

When lawyer Erwin Cabanag, a City Fiscal of Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, passed away in 2005 at the age of 45, it was a painful...

EPCALM keeps a database of all its serviced patients. As of September 2015, a total of 109 patients have contacted and have been...

Ryan O’Neel Equio, a 34-year old rescuer of the PDRRMC Search and Rescue Team, has been in the forefront of all rescue missions deployed by the local government of Negros Oriental since 2009. Also a rescue volunteer of the ONE RESCUE EMS, Ryan has been helping save lives of victims of calamities, mishaps and accidents of all forms. The years of rescue work and constant exposure to danger and life-risking situations, somehow made Ryan and his fellow rescuers assume the feeling

Flight Delayed. Flight delayed: a term often found at the airports, caused by various reasons, i.e. unavailable aircraft, increased airport traffic, poor weather conditions, etc. Flight delays most often cause inconvenience on the part of the passengers due to missed plans and schedules, whether business-related or personal. Paulo found his “life flight” being delayed by a discovery at the hospital. Paulo Luces, 28 year old engineer, was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myelogeno

Rene Macalalad’s hope rests on God. He thanks and praises Him for his new trial, because now, Rene finds reason and purpose in Life: to help other Leukemia patients who are suffering the same fate, by giving strength and encouragement; and to fellow farmers (Rene being an agriculturist) to provide awareness on the dangers of using chemicals (i.e. fertilizers) on fruits and vegetables. Rene, 25 years old, is one of the latest patients that has approached EPCALM for assistance

Last January 2011, Arlene Danugo Bisamos, married to Erwin Bisamos (33), residing in Blk 28 LRT, Barangay Gregoria de Jesus, GMA, Cavite, was admitted to the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), to give birth to her fourth child. Arlene, a 29 year old mother of 3 girls ages 14 (Erleen), 12 (Cassandra Lee) and 3 (Sophia Ezra), was undergoing regular laboratory examinations, due to frequent hematuria during pregnancy. Upon evaluation of the test results though, Arlene was dia

Not many will look back to the period of their early twenties and see a time heavy with medical trials. Our friend, Ryan, will belong to such minority, as he has many somber remembrances in his young adulthood. As I entered the hospital to visit a newly diagnosed leukemia patient together with his parents, I couldn’t help but come to the stark realization that many cannot come even close to saying they have been through so much at his age. In 2008, at the age of 17, Ryan ex

Glenn Mayo is a 36 year old OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) who has been diagnosed with meningitis and AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia) for well over a year now. Only this December did a close friend find and connect with EPCALM to start assisting his family in what ways we can.Glenn Mayo is a 36 year old OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) who has been diagnosed with meningitis and AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia) for well over a year now. Only this December did a close friend f

Jessel with brother Manuel (left) and EPCALM Executive Director Cesar Dumogho (center) As soon as Manuel Dancel found out that his sister, Jessel Dancel Hsu was diagnosed to have leukemia, he wasted no time in searching for avenues of help and cure for his beloved sister. When one gets diagnosed with a dreaded disease, the sick gets strength from the love of family manifested by the way the closely knit Filipino family is drawn even closer together to do everything they can a

Gladys Abano, 28 years old, married, first consulted doctors at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) last November 2010 due to easy fatiguability and pallor. After testing, Gladys was found to have a decreased hemoglobin count, thus blood transfusions were recommended. But due to persistent and recurrent signs and symptoms, work-ups were done, where Gladys underwent bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Results of the work-ups revealed that Gladys has Acute Myelogenous Leukem