Hello everyone! We are a group of high school friends raising money for our dearest friend Shef who is fighting B Cell Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (cancer that starts in the lymphatic system). It was only February of this year that the cancer was diagnosed. Shef is only 33 years old. We want to raise money so Shef can get the complete sessions of chemotherapy for his healing and his fight against the Big C!

 

Who is Shef?

Shefren or Shef as he’s fondly called by his friends is the eldest son of Uncle Subleo and Auntie Susan Melitante, brother to his 5 siblings, class advisor to his Grade 10-Love students in Balaogan National High School, a parish lector, but to many of us, he’s a family and dear friend. Personally, he’s a very close friend to me and our friendship dates back from 20+ years ago, back in Nabua National High School. He is a consistent honor student since primary school and I guess he is gifted with incredible and great memory skills specially in Social Studies, which led him to pursue Midwifery (quite ironic isn’t it?) and then shifted to Education afterwards (he found his way back to his first love). Fast forward after university, our high school batch remained so close and we tried to get together every December. And with the presence of technology, we retained our contacts and as they’re one of my closest circle, we even have a group chat called GSMB — i.e. initials of our first names, Germine, Shef, Mer and myself.

 

Financial concern
His savings are almost depleted and this is the only way we can help him in this challenging situation. He needs 8 sessions of chemotherapy costing EUR 1,600 (PHP 90,000) per session, plus other medications and doctor’s fees. The estimated total cost of medications amount to EUR 14,000. He just started his first IV chemotherapy session on Friday (18 March). With your helping hand, we can share in his burdens and help him undergo all the needed treatments.
 
Below are the following deposit options, preferably from those within the Philippines:
 
BPI
Account Name: Jane Margaritt Pontillas
Account number:0709152068
 
Gcash Account:
Jane Margaritt Pontillas
09060876752

For outside the Philippines (i.e. USD, EUR payments, please click the Donate button and you will be automatically linked to a secure website for the transfers). 

 

Shef is a wonderful person inside and out. He always brings light and warmth to everyone around him. His wit and humor will incredibly make your day. He’s a very diligent teacher and an ever-present mentor who willingly helps his students and co-teachers. His love and care for his family and friends are immeasurable. His passion and dedication to serve in local ministry is very imminent. And this is Shef — loving, caring, optimist, humble and full of energy. Someone who deserves to live a longer, healthier and a life filled with smile and bliss.

 

Shef remained optimistic despite this life threatening situation. He still has the vigor to throw jokes and paint a smile on his face regardless of the physical and psychological pain brought by his illness. Let’s help put back the smile and energy Shef has. Please help us get all the chemotherapy treatments and medications required for his healing and recovery.

 

We will really appreciate if you can please support, share this and include him in your prayers. May God bless you a thousand fold!

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” - Psalm 73:25-26 

 

”Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” - Galatians 6:2