My name is Gylene, and if you know me, you know how much I care about animals—especially stray and rescued cats in the Philippines. I have always believed that every life, no matter how small, deserves love, dignity, and a second chance.

This year, as my birthday approaches, I want to do something more meaningful than receiving gifts or celebrating for myself. My birthday wish is to extend kindness to one special cat who is fighting for his life right now—and to the rescuer who refused to abandon him.

Meet Ichi, a brave stray cat from Manila, Philippines. Ichi’s life took a tragic turn when he was hit by a vehicle and left on the streets with a severely broken front leg. With no one to care for him, the wound became dangerously infected.

That’s when Rachel Ann Daguinod, a 25-year-old rescuer from a poor community in Makati City, stepped in. Despite her family’s financial struggles—her mother works as a street cleaner and her father is a jeepney driver—Rachel devotes her heart to saving stray cats. She rushed Ichi to the veterinary hospital, where doctors delivered devastating news: his leg could not be saved. The only way to keep him alive was an immediate amputation.

The surgery has been done, but Ichi is still in the hospital recovering and has not yet been cleared for discharge. The medical bills are piling up, and Rachel simply cannot afford the expenses on her own.

This is where I am asking for your help. Instead of birthday gifts, I am raising funds to:

Ichi has shown incredible courage. Though he lost a leg, he has not lost his will to live. With our help, he can heal, adapt, and live a happy, love-filled life.

Please consider donating to my birthday fundraiser for Ichi. Any amount, big or small, will bring us closer to paying his hospital bills and giving him the second chance he deserves. If you cannot give, sharing this campaign is just as powerful.

This birthday, my greatest gift would be knowing that together, we can help save a cat, Ichi, and empowered Rachel to continue rescuing more lives like his. I hope to turn compassion into action—because together, we can give Ichi a second chance at life and empower Rachel to continue saving more lives.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and thank you for being part of this journey.