DUBAI // Time is running out for a father who needs a life-saving bone marrow transplant to defeat leukaemia.
Filipino Larry Castro, 35, learnt last week that chemotherapy had reduced the cancer cells in his body but a risk of relapse remains.
“I’m now undergoing three more days of chemotherapy,” said Mr Castro, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), a cancer of the white blood cells, in 2011.
“Hopefully, that will get rid of the remaining cancer cells and, once I have recovered, doctors tell me that I should get a bone marrow transplant as soon as possible. If I don’t get the transplant then there is a good chance I will relapse again.”
Mr Castro, a painter, has had two relapses during six months of treatment at Dubai Hospital.
His mother has volunteered to be a bone marrow donor. But he said: “The problem I’m facing is that I just don’t have the money to go ahead with the operation at the moment. I can see a light at the end of the tunnel for treating my leukaemia but it seems to be just out of reach.”
He needs Dh400,000 for the operation in the Philippines.
“The Red Crescent said they could donate Dh50,000 and a couple of other charities have said they will help with about Dh30,000,” he said.
“But I’m relying on the kindness of others to help with the rest of the money. If people can help me I’ll be able to continue my life without having to worry about getting cancer again.
“I’m praying every day that there is a solution to this.”
You can help Mr Castro at the crowdfunding website You Caring at www.youcaring.com. The appeal is for US$100,000 (Dh367,300).
nhanif@thenational.ae
