JEDDAH, 6 April 2005 — A Filipino worker suffering from leukemia is in dire need of blood for his chemotherapy sessions.
Cris Caoili, 46, currently confined in Room 409 of Bugshan Hospital, needs at least 10 units/packet of type O+ for every session of chemotherapy.
His first session was held yesterday, and is he is scheduled for his next session today. Then he will have another three-times-a-week therapy starting April 9, or on Saturday.
“Whoever has the golden heart and may want to donate blood, I will appreciate the good gesture very much,” Caoili told Arab News during a telephone interview.
Caoili said he never expected this prognosis. He said he been healthy until last week when he felt “easily fatigued” at work. He decided to see a doctor, suspecting that he was suffering from some kind of heart ailment. Caoili said that some months ago he discovered some black spots on his arms and body but didn’t give it much thought after the spots disappeared. Then the spots reappeared and he had this bout of fatigue.
Caoili has worked for the last seven years as electrical technician at Le Meridien Hotel along Madinah Road in Jeddah. His employer is shouldering his hospital and chemotherapy expenses but not the cost of blood transfusion needed during the therapy.
The hospital’s blood bank also has limited stock of 0+ blood type, prompting the hotel’s human resource development officer Mashal Alnafea to seek the assistance from the Philippine Consulate, said consulate administrative officer Taha Guinomla.
“Please help us to help your kababayan (Caoili) by donating the necessary blood required to extend his life,” Alnafea was quoted as saying.
Guinomla said he was touched by Alnafea’s concern over the health of Caoili. He urged fellow Filipinos to do their share.
Those willing to help by donating blood may contact Edison Madredio (Le Meridian Hotel) at 050725-40754 or Cris Caoili at 05023-44232, Raffy Osumo at 05076-63490, or Francis Salud at 0509383058.