By Aileen P. Refuerzo
BAGUIO CITY – Another dialysis patient has sounded a SOS to afford his twice-a-week hemodialysis and extend his lease on life.
Bonifacio Yackengon, a 53-year old former mine laborer from an indigent family in Hingyon, Ifugao aired his appeal to Samaritans through half-brother Julio Tumiguing Jr.
Tumiguing said their family could hardly afford the P4,400 weekly cost of the blood cleansing sessions on top of the medicines and hospitalization expenses needed by their brother.
Yackengon was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease stage 6 secondary to hypertension nephrosclerosis on hemodialysis in September, 2014 at the Baguio General Hospital where he was rushed by his brother after experiencing total body weakness and chills. Prior to this, he had been ill for a certain period and stayed at a makeshift house near his workplace in Antamok, Benguet.
The patient initially underwent dialysis treatment thrice-a-week but this was later reduced to twice-a-week. Even so, his hospitalization and dialysis treatment drained his meager savings and forced his family to borrow money.
Except for one brother who also works in the mines, all of Yackengon’s siblings and half-siblings are married and are living a hand-to-mouth existence and thus could not fully support their brother.
To top it all, Yackengon’s 76-year old stepfather Julio Sr. is also sickly and needs to be supported. Their mother died early last year.
Lagawe municipal social welfare and development officer Susana Gallangi said Yackengon and his siblings were not able to finish their studies due to hardship in life forcing them to work either as laborers, miners and farmers.
“Arthur who is unmarried provides support to his parents and siblings. Other married children also give little support to (them) for their subsistence. With the illness of client, this has brought financial burden to the family to include the families of the client’s siblings. Their income is not even enough for their own families however they still share though how little it is for the continuous medication and dialysis of client,” Gallangi noted.
“The family is financially in crisis brought about by the client’s illness and the death in the family. They belong to the indigent members of the community and their income is not even enough to support their basic needs. Thus they are seeking help..,” Gallangi said.
Those willing to donate may contact Julio Jr. through the following cel numbers 09482385760 and 09354593135. **
