SOTERO
WITH the constant traveling taking its toll on her daughter鈥檚 health, Rackel Jean Publico decided that she and 13-year-old Kylene Joy Sotero should just stay with a relative in Metro Manila.
Kylene has been undergoing blood transfusions since she was diagnosed in 2004 with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. She needs to go to the hospital twice a month for the procedure.
Rackel has raised her daughter by herself after she broke up with her partner in 2006. After leaving their house in Marikina City, she took Kylene home to San Clemente in Tarlac province. They now stay with a relative in Guadalupe, Makati City, where the young girl is a Grade 3 student at San Jose Elementary School.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be a long journey for both of us since she will need to undergo treatment her whole life. But she is adopting to school despite her condition. However, there are times she doesn鈥檛 feel well enough to go to school when she misses treatment because we don鈥檛 have any money to buy blood,鈥� Rackel said.
Based on the treatment protocol prescribed by the Cancer and Hematology Center of Philippine Children鈥檚 Medical Center in Quezon City, Kylene needs P50,494 a month for her two blood transfusions and other tests. These include antibody screening, cross matching and 2D-Echo.
Those who want to help Kylene can call Rackel at 0999-5685889. Donations can be deposited in Rackel鈥檚 RCBC account (#4215-8501-0015-1837, Rackel Jean聽 Publico).