Shawn Jaruwa Pojim, or SJ, as his friends call him, is 13. His father is my son. SJ was born with sickle cell anemia, a debilitating condition that attacks red blood cells and leads to perennial infections, pain, and fatigue.

About 10 days ago, SJ lost consciousness in class and collapsed. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors discovered two cancerous tumors in his abdomen. The surgery to remove the tumors went well, and SJ received a blood transfusion. However, another problem was discovered: his kidney is failing.

He will remain under specialized care in the hospital for the rest of the year, as doctors fight to save his life. The hospital bill stands at $4,650 as of today. This figure will surely go up, even without any further surgery, because a hospital bed alone costs $45 a day.