Rovil Villas – Nipped in the Bud

Just when Rovil was ready and prepared to face life in full bloom, her career has been nipped in the bud by Leukemia. Let us journey with Rovil as she battles with this dreaded disease, and pray for her eventual recovery.

Read below Rovil’s write-up:

“….I’m Rovil Villas, 22 years old. I just passed the nursing licensure exam last year. While waiting for the result, I worked as a call center agent. It was May 2012 when I was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). This was during the time when I was already enjoying my work, my independence and earning my own money.

In my own small way, I was already able to help my parents financially during that time. So when I was diagnosed with ALL, my life was completely turned upside down. I had to place my life on hold. We all know how expensive chemotherapy is, plus the constant confinements and medical procedures. So for almost half a year now, my family is already financially exhausted. If not for the help of some of our relatives and other people, I wouldn’t be able to continue with my treatment.

During Chemo, there are good days and bad days. During one of my “good days”, my sister and I came up with an idea to raise money to help support my treatment. Since my sister and I love to draw, we decided to design Leukemia-inspired t-shirts, not only to raise money, but also to raise awareness about the disease. It actually started as a joke and we were not really expecting to receive a lot of orders.

But the support from our friends and family and even from people we don’t know is overwhelming, and the t-shirts that we designed already helped us a lot.

In a way, I’m already very thankful for all the blessings. God really provides in times of need….”

Let us pray for financial blessings for Rovil and her family to sustain her through her chemo and other treatments. Pray also for steadfastness, perseverance and hope for her and her family. Click on the donate button below if you want to help Rovil in her battle. If you want to order her t-shirt designs, call up the EPCALM office (look for Anna or Emma) at (02) 723-1058 or 0932-854-8460 or 0932-854-8461.

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BloodWorks: A Testament To The Filipino’s Indomitable Spirit

Filipinos have a unique character trait that has been carried on through generations, whether it be in the 15th Century, 19th Century or the 21st Century. This trait has been displayed in the Filipino, whether in the midst of foreign invaders (i.e. Spaniards, Americans), natural calamities (i.e. typhoons, earthquakes, floods, etc.), or even on the personal level, like diseases. Through all natural, man-made or personal calamities, Filipinos have persevered and managed to rise up from the ruins, despite the physical, mental and spiritual denudation that these calamities bring. Filipinos come out victorious and smiling, even through all the pain, sorrows (loss of love ones) and mental anguish.

Rovil Villas is one such Filipino. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) a few months ago, she and her family have gone out of their comfort zones and have engaged in a “battle” against this debilitating disease. Undaunted by their lack of financial resources, they utilized their God-given talents; their ability to draw, and use this to their advantage.

Rovil and her sister rose out of their helplessness and focused their energies in designing t-shirts about Leukemia. This is how BloodWorks was born. BloodWorks is the Villas’ family’s brand of Leukemia-inspired T-shirts. What started out originally as a joke has come out to be a revenue-generating venture that has “partially” sustained Rovil’s costs for medical treatments (i.e. chemotherapies) while in the process, creating Leukemia awareness among the family’s relatives, friends, classmates, officemates and other people who have come to know about Rovil’s predicament.

Rovil, mabuhay ka!!!!

Leukemia though is a “draining” disease and Rovil and her family need all the help they can get. If you want to help out Rovil, you can order one or a couple of her t-shirt designs.

Just visit her facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/bloodworkssupportleukemia/, or you could call up the EPCALM office at (02) 723-1058 (look for Anna or Emma) or call/text 0932-854-8460 or 0932-854-8461.

You can also say a silent prayer for Rovil and her family on a regular basis, praying for her recovery and good health.

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Updated Journey: Rovil’s Miracle For The Day

Rovil Villas, a 22 year old newly registered nurse from Angono, Rizal, was first diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in May of 2012. She is one of the eleven leukemia patients currently under the care and support of EPCALM. She became a member of the Foundation in October of 2012, having learned about EPCALM through a friend who is also afflicted with leukemia and is a Foundation member herself.

From the time of diagnosis to December of the same year, Rovil has had 4 cycles of chemotherapy treatment and 8 intrathecal chemo treatments. Somehow these series of treatments has made Rovil anticipate positive developments in her condition in the days to come. But barely a month after her last treatment, Rovil experienced a relapse in January 5, 2013 and to date, is still confined at the VRP Medical Center.

Disappointed and very saddened, she is again back to her fearful and pained state. Rovil’s worries are not limited to herself alone, but she worries also that her family, especially her parents and sister, are in a continued state of stress in caring for her and in finding resources to support her treatments. Mercy Villas, Rovil’s mom, has never ceased praying for her daughter’s health and for the provisions that they, as a family need as they journey through this crisis. She makes all efforts to be strong for every member of the family, especially for Rovil. The strength of her faith in the Lord has led her to look forward and count miracles by the day.

Tearfully, she related to the EPCALM Representative, who visited Rovil at the hospital last Monday, January 8, this story : “When you called me up this morning asking if Rovil was allowed visitors in the room and to whom the check from EPCALM should be named, I thanked the Lord. Right away I called up my sister and said, “We already have our miracle for today!”.

Might you consider being Rovil’s miracle for the day?

Postscript: Rovil joined our Maker last April 2013.

Postscript: Rovil joined our Maker last April 2013.