Jubilation for Jovellee

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common leukemia in children. ALL  is a cancer of the white blood cells.  Although the survival rate of this kind of cancer has proved to be more promising compared with other cancers, it’s still important that all necessary care be given to the patient.

Jovellee Dionglay, 9 years old and an orphan, has ALL.  Her young body and mind have been fighting cancer for almost three years now.  She was diagnosed with leukemia in 2007, when she was just 6 years old.  What had started out as a swollen lymph node in her tonsil and her recurring fever actually turned out to be cancer after undergoing bone marrow biopsy and several tests.

Before she had leukemia, young Jovellee has already been dealt with trials many adults have been blessed not yet too face.  She had lost her parents at a very young age. Her mother was viciously murdered and the killer is still at large (Jovellee is unaware of this fact because her maternal grandmother, Aling Aida, now her guardian, opted to protect her from this painful truth)   and that tragedy was followed by the lost of his father from a severe heart attack.

Upon learning the story of Jovellee from Aling Aida, I just felt sorry for the little girl and, at the same time, fortunate for not having to go through those traumatic events in my life.  I am so inspired that a kid like Jovellee could still find the strength to overcome all these trials storming through her life.  And although her young, innocent mind could not fully grasp the situation she is in, she seems to handle it well like adults try to do.  When I talked to Jovellee, I saw through her face that bright smile and wide eyes showing before me, which quite say to me that she is alright, that she is dealing with all that’s happening to her, with the love and support she gets from the people who loves her.

Surprisingly, she even managed to tell me her favorite book, “ Ang Katapangan ni Atong Magiting,” as though she is actually “reading” it (in truth, she cannot read and write yet, because she stopped schooling ever since her diagnosis). Listening to her, I find it hard to imagine that Jovellee had been through three near-death experiences! I find it hard to picture her once having been so frail, dealing with high fever, profuse nose bleeding and total unconsciousness.  As Aling Aida remarked to me that indeed Jovellee has yet to fulfill her purpose in this world.  Jovellee wants to be a doctor in the future, a pedia-oncologist.  Jovellee wants to treat kids like her and I believe that this courageous, young girl would be an amazing pediatrician someday! 

Hope and faith spring from love, and that alone could strengthen one’s body and spirit.  For children with cancer like Jovellee, the best medical treatment and care are never enough to keep them fighting for their lives.  They draw their strength from those people who give them their time and love.   Fortunately, Kythe is given this golden opportunity to be there for these kids.  Kythe not only helps provide for their medical treatment, but also links them with kuya’s and ate’s ever willing to spend time and share their blessings with these wonderful children.

Jovellee dancing Nobody, Nobody But You for Toshiba
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