Beating the Odds: A leukemia patient’s journey of hope and healing

(Today, 1 June 2025, is National Cancer Survivors Day! It is a poignant, inspiring annual celebration of life. It is also a call to action for further research, more resources, and increased public awareness to improve the lives of cancer survivors. To highlight the significance of this day, we feature the story of hope and triumph of an EPCALM-serviced adult leukemia patient, who is now cancer-free since September 2021

The National Cancer Survivors Day provides an opportunity for all people living with a history of cancer, including cancer survivors, to connect with each other, celebrate the milestone, and recognize those who have supported them along the way).

On 13 February 2015, the life of Dr. Mario M. Panaligan took a dramatic turn. He was diagnosed with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML). Before he was admitted to the hospital, he knelt in prayer, surrendering everything to God. He believed deeply that there was a divine reason behind every trial, and that God’s plans were always for the best.

His journey through treatment was grueling. He underwent induction chemotherapy, a process that left him physically weak and severely immune-deficient. As a leukemia patient, he was vulnerable to life-threatening complications. His hemoglobin and platelet counts remained critically low, which required regular blood transfusions. Yet, none of these hardships swayed his spirit. His faith stood firm. In every moment of fear and uncertainty, he chose to rely on God—full of hope.

EPCALM: A caring community. Throughout his battle, he found strength in community, especially through the EPCALM Family. The Foundation’s prayerful support and spiritual fellowship became his wellspring of hope and healing. It wasn’t just medical treatment that sustained him—it was also the love, prayers, and shared faith that carried him through his leukemia journey. This season of his life brought him closer to Jesus Christ, and helped him focus on what truly mattered.

After months of being in and out of the hospital, Doc Mario finally underwent a bone marrow transplant in September 2015. The journey wasn’t easy, but he persevered. Now, 10 years later, he carries his testimony with purpose.  He has resolved to make it his personal mission to share God’s unfailing love and faithfulness with others—especially among patients in need. 

During the pandemic, he served as the President of the Philippine College of Physicians, leading with compassion and courage. He continues to teach, heal, and serve—not just as a doctor, but as a beacon of hope. Through it all, he wants to be remembered not just for the life-threatening disease he overcame, but more so for the joy he found in walking with Jesus Christ. Doc Mario’s story is a beautiful reminder that even in our darkest hours, God’s light never fades.

At present, Doc Mario is the Chairman of the Department of Medicine of the St. Luke’s Medical Center-Global City in Taguig City. He is one of 20 former leukemia warriors at EPCALM who are now declared survivors. (By Dr. Mario M. Panaligan, as told to Sr. Minerva F. Jumawid)

A leukemia diagnosis is not a death sentence. Leukemia is treatable. Early detection is key! Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, stem cell transplantation, CAR T-cell therapy, targeted therapy are some of the treatment methods. The goal is to put the disease into remission (where no cancer is detectable in the patient’s body) and, ultimately, to cure the patient.