Beautician Gwen Peñalosa, 37, said she wishes to be reunited with her family before her cancer gets even worse. She also hopes to seek treatment in the Philippines.

“I am appealing for help to those with big hearts. I have been crying ever since I learned about my condition. I can’t even move properly now due to the severe pain,” she told Arab News.

Peñalosa is one of several hundred Filipinos temporarily housed at a compound provided by the Saudi government for those seeking to return home by means of deportation.

Those in the compound at the Haj Terminal are either overstayers or workers who have escaped from their employers.

A welfare officer from the Philippine Consulate General said Peñalosa has been diagnosed with cervical cancer and that it is important that she be sent home urgently.

Romualdo Exmundo, who is also a doctor, said the long time it usually takes to deport someone would only worsen a very sick patient’s condition.

Exmundo said the consulate would ask the immigration officials to allow Peñalosa’s immediate repatriation for humanitarian reasons, but added that there were issues that need to be settled first and that plane tickets have to be provided for her and an escort.

“She has to be accompanied by someone because she cannot travel on her own,” he said.

Peñalosa has admitted to working in Jeddah illegally since she escaped from her employer six years ago.

She said she was diagnosed with cervical cancer at a clinic two years ago but she did not have the means to undergo treatment.

It was revealed that the consulate had asked the Department of Foreign Affairs for a one-way plane ticket from Jeddah to Manila for the patient, but due to bureaucratic red tape that may also take time.

The Western Region chapter of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKOR) civic group met recently and agreed to spearhead the campaign to help settle her obligations at the immigration office and buy plane tickets for her and an escort.

“Let’s pass the hat around and help our unfortunate compatriot return home while she can still travel,” OKOR chapter leader Jauhari Usman said.

The organization, which seeks to promote the teachings of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal, has named entrepreneur-civic leader Rizaldy Javing as the contact person for the campaign.

Javing, a chemical engineer by profession, had been active in previous campaigns to help distressed OFWs in Jeddah. He can be reached on 0503638174.

It was also agreed that should the Philippine government finally release the money needed for Peñalosa’s repatriation requirements, the cash would be given to her when she returns to her country.