I AM truly blessed to have crossed paths with Dra. Erlyn Demerre and to have been touched by her kindness. Siya ay isang palatandaan na may mga mabubuting tao sa mundo. Dra. Demerre is Nanay’s cardiologist.
Si Dra. Demerre ang Founder at Chairman of the Board ng EPCALM, a Christ-centered, non-stock, non-profit organization that reaches out to assist leukemia victims and their families. Ang EPCALM ay Erwin Piedad Cabanag Adult Leukemia Ministries. Ang kapatid ni Dra. Demerre na si Atty. Erwin P. Cabanag na isang City Fiscal ng Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental ay pumanaw sa sakit na leukemia noong May 12, 2005 sa edad na 45. Her brother died four days before their family was set to leave for the United States for treatment.
It was a two-year journey of her brother with leukemia. Ayon kay Dra. Demerre, it was a journey of faith that tested their family ties. Naisip rin nila na wala pang adult leukemia foundation sa bansa noong panahong iyon.
Dahil sa kanyang karanasan kaya naitatag ang EPCALM para makatulong sa mga leukemia patients at pamilya ng mga ito. Ngayon, ang unang adult leukemia foundation sa Pilipinas ay kilala bilang EPCALM Adult Leukemia Foundation of the Philippines, Inc.
Paliwanag ni Dra. Demerre, “EPCALM works through its network of committed partners and volunteers to extend spiritual, medical, and financial services and resources. EPCALM seeks to be a resource for leukemia patients to help improve their quality of life, discover spiritual, physical and emotional nourishment, and acquire renewed hope as they journey towards wholeness.”
EPCALM assists leukemia patients by raising donations, embarking on medical missions, providing continued monitoring, advocating new medical procedures and technologies, empowering communities to help raise awareness and to be proactive. May mga paraan para tumulong sa mga fund-raising activities ng EPCALM:
You can order EPCALM customized Martin Nievera’s Christmas CD titled “My Christmas List” which contains 18 tracks and produced by Polyeast Records. The selling price is the same as record bars at P350/CD but for EPCALM, it’s a 10+1 offer. More discounts with bulk orders. Nagpapasalamat si Dra. Demerre kay Martin dahil sa walang sawa nitong pagtulong sa EPCALM. When Martin heard about EPCALM, his heart leapt for joy as he found a window of opportunity to embrace the worthy cause. He volunteered to be involved in EPCALM’s music ministry and be its in-house singer. Sumali rin siya sa Grief Management Conference kung saan siya kumanta para sa mga participants.
Ang EPCALM ang official beneficiary ng repeat concert ni Martin, ang “Tatlong Dekada Anniversary Concert – The Repeat,” sa Big Dome sa November 22. Mabibili ang mga tickets sa halagang P4225 (Patron VIP), P3700 (Patron), P2640 (Lower Box), P1000 (Upper Box A), P530 (Upper Box B), at P265 (General Admission). You can reserve slots ahead thru EPCALM. Maaaring tumawag sa 7231058, 09328548459, 09328548460, 09328548461 o mag-email sa [email protected] or [email protected]. With FB and Twitter.
You can also give out EPCALM Christmas/all purpose cards and share in spreading the advocacy to help leukemia patients. Ang 2013 EPCALM cards ay may apat na disenyo at nagkakahalaga ng P2,500 per pack of 12. Maaaring makita ang mga designs sa www.epcalm.org.
Ang EPCALM office ay matatagpuan sa Suite 341 Medical Arts Building St. Luke’s Medical Center 279 E. Rodriguez Blvd., Quezon City.
Kaibigan, usap tayo muli!
Points of Boy
by Boy Abunda
